What type of substance is cholesterol classified as?

Cholesterol is classified as a fat-like substance because it belongs to a category called lipids. Lipids are organic compounds that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents, and they play crucial roles in the body, including the formation of cell membranes and serving as precursors for the synthesis of hormones. Cholesterol is specifically involved in maintaining cell membrane integrity and fluidity, as well as contributing to the production of steroid hormones and bile acids. Unlike minerals, which are inorganic elements, sugars, which are carbohydrates, and amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, cholesterol has a unique structure that is characteristic of lipids, further solidifying its classification as a fat-like substance.