Steroids (endocrinological information)
The steroids are a group of compounds which have the following features in common:
- a backbone structure of a steroid nucleus consisting of:
- 3 six-membered carbon rings
- 1 five-membered carbon ring
- solubility in organic solvents, insoluble in inorganic solvents
- widespread use as hormones
Steroids may be natural or synthetic. Natural steroids include:
- corticosteroids
- sex hormones
- bile salts
- sterols
- some vitamin-derivatives e.g. calcitriol
Steroids have powerful actions on all body cells ranging from control of growth and fertility to determination of sex.
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