Which term describes a type of hydrocarbon that includes both a steroid and an alcohol?

The term that accurately describes a type of hydrocarbon that includes both a steroid and an alcohol is "sterol." Sterols are a subgroup of steroids and possess a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group that characterizes alcohols. This unique combination gives them properties that are distinct from other lipids and hydrocarbons.

Sterols play a crucial role in cellular structure and function, as they are essential components of cell membranes, contributing to their fluidity and integrity. Cholesterol, for example, is the most well-known sterol in animals and serves as a precursor for other important biological molecules, including hormones and vitamins.

Understanding that sterols combine the structural characteristics of steroids with the functional properties of alcohols highlights their specific role in biochemistry, differentiating them from other related terms like lipids, which encompass a broader category including fats, oils, and phospholipids, or glycerol, which is a simple polyol compound and not directly related to the structure of sterols.