Steroid

Steroid An organic compound that contain 4 cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other with the core being 20carbon atoms Steroids are metabolized by cytochrome P450 oxidase enzymes - This occurs by allowing oxygen to enter into the rings making it easier for otherenzymes to break it down

Gonane is the simplest possible steroid and is composed of seventeen carbon atoms, bonded together to form four fused rings. The three cyclohexane rings (designated as rings A, B, and C in the figure above right) form the skeleton of phenanthrene; ring D has a cyclopentane structure. Hence, together they are called cyclopentaphenanthrene .[|[][|3][|]]

Commonly, steroids have a methyl group at the carbons C-10 and C-13 and an alkyl side chain at carbon C-17. Further, they vary by the configuration of the side chain, the number of additional methyl groups and the functional groups attached to the rings. For example the hydroxyl group at position C-3 in sterols.



-Hundreds of distinct steroids are found in plants, animals, and fungi. All steroids are made in cells either from the sterols lanosterol (animals and fungi) or from cycloartenol (plants). Both lanosterol and cycloartenol are derived from the cyclization of the triterpene squalene.

For women, steroids can cause irreversible masculine traits such as reduced breast size, extra body hair and a deeper voice.
 * Steroids** are prescribed by doctors to help with anemia or for men who don't produce enough testosterone naturally. However, they are also used illegally by body builders and other athletes looking for an edge over their competition.