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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.

sterol

/ˈstɪrɔl/ /ˈstɪərɒl/

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.

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