Steroidal

Steroidal refers to the class of organic compounds known as steroids, which are derived from sterols. Steroids are a type of lipid that is characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings. They are found in plants, animals, and fungi, and are involved in a wide range of physiological processes.

Structure and Classification

Steroids are characterized by a carbon skeleton consisting of four fused rings: three six-member cyclohexane rings and one five-member cyclopentane ring. The steroids differ by the functional groups attached to these rings and the oxidation state of the rings. Hundreds of distinct steroids have been identified in plants, animals, and fungi.

Steroids can be classified based on their biological activity. For example, corticosteroids are involved in a range of physiological processes, including the immune response and regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior. Sex steroids are involved in regulating sex-differentiated traits.

Biological Role

Steroids play a crucial role in a variety of biological processes. They serve as important components of cell membranes and alter membrane fluidity. Steroids also act as signaling molecules and play a significant role in various physiological processes such as the immune response, regulation of inflammation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels, and behavior.

Medical Use

Steroids have a wide range of medical uses. They are used in medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammation (such as in rheumatoid arthritis), autoimmune diseases (such as lupus), certain types of cancer, and as replacement therapy for individuals whose bodies do not produce enough natural steroids (such as in Addison's disease).

See Also

• Steroid hormone
• Anabolic steroid
• Corticosteroid
• Sex steroid

References

Steroidal Resources
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