Definition

1. Noun:
   • A steroid hormone: Any hormone that is structurally a steroid and affects the development and growth of sex organs. These hormones are lipids derived from cholesterol and play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including sexual development, reproduction, and metabolism.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Testosterone is a key steroid hormone in males.
  • The doctor prescribed a steroid hormone to regulate her menstrual cycle.
  • Estrogen, a steroid hormone, is essential for female reproductive health.

Advanced Usage

• "Steroid hormone receptor": A cellular protein that binds to a specific steroid hormone, triggering a response in the cell.
  • The drug works by blocking the steroid hormone receptor.
• "Steroid hormone synthesis": The biochemical process by which the body produces steroid hormones.
  • The enzyme deficiency disrupted steroid hormone synthesis.

Variants and Related Words

• Steroid (noun): A large class of organic compounds with a specific molecular structure, including many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins.
  • Cortisol is a steroid released in response to stress.
• Hormone (noun): A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.
  • Insulin is a hormone that controls blood sugar levels.

Synonyms

• Sex hormone: A hormone that influences the development of sexual characteristics and reproduction. (Note: While all sex hormones are steroid hormones, not all steroid hormones are exclusively sex hormones; some, like cortisol, have different primary functions.)
• Gonadal steroid: A steroid hormone produced by the gonads (testes or ovaries).

Related Phrases

• Steroid hormone therapy: The use of steroid hormones as medical treatment.
  • She underwent steroid hormone therapy for menopause symptoms.
• Anabolic steroid: A synthetic steroid hormone that mimics testosterone to build muscle tissue.
  • The athlete was banned for using anabolic steroids.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. any hormone affecting the development and growth of sex organs