Sterol - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A sterol is a type of organic molecule found in plants and animals, essential for cell membrane structure. Cholesterol is a well-known example, important for hormone production and vitamin synthesis.
Definition:
A naturally occurring unsaturated steroid alcohol found in plants and animals.
Synonyms:
cholesterol, phytosterol, steroid alcohol, lipid
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; context-dependent)
Common Collocations:
sterol biosynthesis, sterol metabolism, dietary sterol, plant sterol
Derivatives:
steroidal, sterol-free
Usage Tips:
Use "sterol" when discussing lipids or biochemistry; it often refers to compounds like cholesterol or phytosterols.
Common Phrases:
(No common phrases or idioms)
Etymology:
Derived from "ster-" (solid) + "-ol" (alcohol), referring to its chemical structure as a solid alcohol.
Examples:
- 1. Cholesterol is a well-known sterol in the human body.
- 2. Plant sterols can help lower bad cholesterol levels.
- 3. The lab analyzed the sterol content in the sample.
- 4. Sterols are essential components of cell membranes in animals and plants.