sterol

[ steer-awl, -ol, ster- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of solid, mostly unsaturated, polycyclic alcohols, as cholesterol and ergosterol, derived from plants or animals.

sterol

/ ˈstɛrɒl /

noun

1. biochem any of a group of natural steroid alcohols, such as cholesterol and ergosterol, that are waxy insoluble substances

sterol

/ stîr′ôl′ /

1. Any of various alcohols having the structure of a steroid, usually with a hydroxyl group (OH) attached to the third carbon atom. Sterols are found in the tissues of animals, plants, fungi, and yeasts and include cholesterol.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterol¹

1910–15; extracted from such words as cholesterol, ergosterol, etc.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sterol¹

C20: shortened from cholesterol , ergosterol , etc

Example Sentences

Using chemical analysis, the team was able to extract and analyze the sterol molecules contained in the fossil tissue.

From Popular-Science