C.6.2

=Cholesterol and Sex Hormones - comparing structures=

Sex hormones all belong to a family of organic compounds called **steroids**. Steroids can be identified by their **4 ring structure**, sometimes called a **steroid backbone**. The basic building block for other steroids is cholesterol.

Chlolesterol
Structure of Cholesterol from the IB Chemistry data booklet. Notice it has a steroid backbone. It also contains a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) and an alkene functional group(C=C)

Oestradiol
Structure of Oestradiol from the IB Chemistry data booklet. Notice it has a steroid backbone. Ostradiol contains two hydroxyl functional groups (-OH) and a benzene ring made up of alternate carbon - carbon double bonds.



Progesterone
Structure of progesterone from the IB Chemistry data booklet. Notice it has a steroid backbone. Progesterone contains two ketone functional group (C=O) and one alkene functional group (C=C).

Testosterone
Structure of Testosterone from the IB Chemistry data booklet. Notice it has a steroid backbone. Testosterone contains one hydroxyl (-OH), one ketone functional group (-C=O) and one alkene functional group (C=C).

Male sex hormones are produced in the testes. they are anabolic - they encourage the growth of tissue, muscle and bone, as well as androgenic - control the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics
 * __Male sex hormones: testosterone and androsterone__**

__**Female sex hormones : oestradiol and progrsterone**__ Female sex hormones are produced in the ovaries from puberty until menopause. They are responsiblefor sexual development and the menstrual reproductive cycles in women