What are steroid hormones?

1 Answer
Sep 12, 2016

A group of hormones chemically classified as steroids

Explanation:

Steroids are organic compounds that have a similar characteristic structure with four rings:

http://www.nbs.csudh.edu/chemistry/faculty/nsturm/CHE452/21_Adrenal%20Steroid17.htm (adapted)

So steroid hormones are all hormones that have this same basic structure with small differences in the composition and position of the side chains. All steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol.

The human steroid hormones are:

  • produced by adrenal cortex: cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone
  • produced by reproductive organs: testosterone, estradiol, progesterone (sex steroids)

http://ouopentextbooks.org/biol3103/chapter-2-biomolecules/