Test Three - Steroidogenesis, Adrenal & Reproductive Glands Flashcards
A ____________________ is a chemical possessing the steroid nucleus, which is also known as the ____________________________ nucleus.
Steroid
Cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene
What is another name for the steroid nucleus?
Cyclopentaoperhydrophenanthrene
Steroid hormones are not packaged but _____________ and immediately ____________ from cells. In other words, steroid hormones are not stored in cells.
Synthesized
Released
Are steroid hormones stored in cells?
No, they are synthesized and immediately released
What are steroid hormones derived from?
Cholesterol
Where are enzymes that produce steroid hormones from cholesterol located?
Mitochondria
Smooth ER
Do steroid hormones travel freely in the blood?
No, they must be bound to carrier proteins
Why must steroid hormones be bound to carrier proteins?
Because they are highly hydrophobic
In some cases, a steroid is secreted by one cell and converted to an active steroid in the target cell. For example, __________, which is secreted by a gonad, is converted into __________ in the brain.
Androgen
Estrogen
Cholesterol is composed of phenanthrene attached to a pentano ring and a side chain.
You must be able to draw cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene (sterane) and cholesterol. You must also be able to number each carbon.

What is this?

Cholesterol
How many carbons are in cholesterol?
27 carbons
Which three steroid groups have 21 carbons?
Progestins
Glucocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids
Which groups of steroids have 19 carbons?
Androgens
Which groups of steroid hormones have 18 carbons?
Estrogens
Which derivative of cholesterol has 27 carbons?
Vitamin D
Which groups of steroid hormones have 24 carbons?
Bile acids
There are 5 classes of steroid hormones. What are they?
- Glucocorticoids
- Mineralocorticoids
- Androgens
- Estrogens
- Progestins
How many carbons does each class of steroid hormones contain?
Glucocorticoids have 21 carbons
Mineralocorticoids have 21 carbons
Androgens have 19 carbons
Estrogens have 18 carbons
Progestins have 21 carbons
What is the major role of glucocorticoids like cortisol?
Normal stress response
Utilization of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
What is the major role of the mineralocorticoids, like aldosterone?
Salt and water balance
What is the major role of androgens, like testosterone?
Male attributes
What is the major role of estrogens, like estradiol?
Female attributes











































