Steroids

Memory Hack💡

To remember steroids, I like to think of the 4 carbon rings as being “really buff”. 

If you look at the structure of the 4 carbon rings, it almost makes the shape of someone flexing their muscles…

Since steroids are typically known for their use with body builders, it helps me remember that if I see a four carbon ring, it's a steroid! 

Notes

Steriods always contain a group of 4 six carbon rings as shown above. Steroids are used in the body as cholesterol, different hormones, and bile acid. 

Cholesterol is important as it is found in the cell membrane. It adds fluidity to the membrane as the bulky structure (the rings...) forces there to be space between molecules. They cannot be as tightly packed, resulting in greater fluidity.