In this video, we're going to introduce the classes of steroid hormones. Now before we get started, let's first revisit our lipid map to make sure we're all on the same page. Already, we've explored the fatty acid based lipids in our previous lesson videos, and currently, we're exploring the isoprenes and the isoprenoids. We've covered the terpenes and terpenoids, as well as the steroids. Here in this video, we're introducing the steroid hormones. It's important to note that the steroid cholesterol is actually a precursor molecule for the steroid hormones. The steroid hormones are built using cholesterol. Recall from our previous lesson videos that hormones are just bio signaling molecules that are released by a cell or gland and travel and affect distant cells in a completely different area of the body. Steroid hormones are just hormones themselves that are steroids. The steroid hormones can actually be classified into 5 different groups, according to the physiological responses they evoke. We've got those 5 different groups here in our table. Those 5 groups are androgens, estrogens, progestins, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. Notice that for all 5 of these steroid hormones, cholesterol is the precursor molecule used to build each of these steroid hormones. It is important to note that the first three classes, androgens, estrogens, and progestins, are all produced by the gonads, which are basically the organs that produce the gametes, such as the testes in males and the ovaries in females. The glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids are both produced by the adrenal cortex of our adrenal glands. Now, for each of these steroid hormones, we're just doing a general introduction, and we'll be able to talk more details about these steroid hormones and their specific functions later in our course. For now, this is just an introduction to these steroid hormones, and here's an introduction to the functions. Androgens typically control sexual development in males, and a classic example of an androgen is the steroid testosterone, whose structure we're showing you here. We've got the male symbol here to help remind you that androgens control sexual development in males. Estrogens typically control sexual development in females. A classic example is steroid estradiol, whose structure we're showing here and we've got the symbol for the female here to remind you that estrogens control sexual development in females. Progestins typically control the menstrual cycle in females and pregnancy in females as well. Here, we've got a classic example of a progestin called progesterone and again, we have this image here to remind you that it can help control pregnancy in females. Glucocorticoids help control carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, and they help control the breakdown of all of these different components. Cortisol is a classic example and here we've got this figure eating this Burger King sandwich just to help remind you that it helps to control the metabolism of these components. Mineralocorticoids help regulate kidney excretion of salt and water through the urine. A classic example of mineralocorticoids is aldosterone, whose structure we're showing here. Notice that we've got the kidneys here, in this figure who is urinating on the floor to help remind you that mineralocorticoids regulate kidney excretion of salt and water through the urine. This is our brief introduction to these 5 classes of steroid hormones. Down here, you'll notice we've got a little memory tool to help you guys memorize the classes of steroid hormones. It's really a scene from a classic movie called The Elf with Will Ferrell. If you haven't seen that movie, make sure you go check out this scene at the very least because it's going to help remind you of the steroid hormones. Here we've got Will Ferrell who's saying he's an angry hormonal elf, which is really going to upset this elf here, and notice that Will Ferrell is saying angry elves probably get mad. The first letter of angry, elves, and probably corresponds with androgens, estrogens, and progestins, respectively, which are all, again, produced by the gonads. The first letters of get and mad correspond with glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. It's just a silly way here to be able to help you guys remember these classes of steroid hormones. This concludes our introduction to the steroid hormones and we'll be able to get some practice applying these concepts in our next couple of videos. I'll see you guys there.
10. Lipids
Steroid Hormones
10. Lipids
Steroid Hormones - Online Tutor, Practice Problems & Exam Prep
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concept
Steroid Hormones
Video duration:
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Video transcript
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Problem
ProblemEach of the following can be synthesized from cholesterol EXCEPT:
A) Glucose.
B) Progesterone.
C) Cholic acid.
D) Testosterone.
E) Estradiol.
A
Glucose
B
Progesterone
C
Cholic acid
D
Testosterone
E
Estradiol
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Problem
ProblemIdentify the molecule derived from sterols.
A) Arachidonic acid.
B) Gangliosides.
C) Phosphatidylglycerol.
D) Prostaglandins.
E) Cortisol.
A
Arachidonic acid
B
Gangliosides
C
Phosphatidylglycerol
D
Prostaglandins
E
Cortisol
4
Problem
ProblemWhich of the following steroid hormones regulates a female's menstrual cycle?
A) Estrogen.
B) Testosterone.
C) Progesterone.
D) Cortisol.
A
Estrogen
B
Testosterone
C
Progesterone
D
Cortisol