Cycloalkanes and Steroids

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to cycloalkanes, steroids, structural isomerism, and their biochemical significance.

Steroid

A type of organic compound that is characterized by a molecular structure containing four fused carbon rings.

Diosgenin

A naturally occurring steroid obtained from the root extracts of the Mexican yam, used for synthesizing commercial steroids.

IUPAC

International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, which provides rules for naming organic chemical compounds.

Cis Isomerism

A type of stereoisomerism where two substituents are positioned on the same side of a ring.

Trans Isomerism

A type of stereoisomerism where two substituents are positioned on opposite sides of a ring.

Conformation

The spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule, which can change by rotation around single bonds.

Ring Strain

The increased energy associated with the distortion of bond angles in cyclic compounds from their ideal values.

Torsional Strain

Strain that arises from eclipsing interactions between atoms or groups within a molecule.

Angle Strain

Strain that occurs when bond angles deviate from their ideal value, affecting the stability of the ring.

1,3-Diaxial Interactions

Steric interactions that occur in cyclohexane when substituents are positioned in the axial position, leading to increased energy and destabilization.

Monosubstituted Cyclohexane

Cyclohexane that has one substituent attached to the ring, leading to different conformations.

Disubstituted Cyclohexane

Cyclohexane that has two substituents attached to the ring, which can exhibit stereoisomerism.

Chair Conformation

The most stable conformation of cyclohexane with minimal angle and torsional strain.

Steric Strain

Strain resulting from the repulsion between atoms or groups that are too close to each other.

Cholesterol

A type of sterol that is essential for cell membrane structure and plays a key role in the synthesis of steroid hormones.

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

A type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to other parts of the body.

HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

A type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from the arteries back to the liver.

Atherosclerosis

A condition characterized by the buildup of plaques in blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow.

Camphor and Camphene

Natural products isolated from evergreens that are examples of polycyclic compounds.