Question

Is testosterone a steroid hormone?

Answer 1

Testosterone is the male sex hormone which is secreted by the testes. This hormone is responsible for male characteristics and also development of secondary sexual characteristics like facial hairs, muscle strength etc. Testosterone is an androgen.

Complete answer:
The steroid hormones are the hormones which are steroidal in chemical composition which is derived from cholesterol. The steroid hormone is secreted by three glands- Adrenal cortex, testes and ovaries. They are directly released into the bloodstream and are target specific which regulate various physiological functions.
The steroids are classified into two types- Corticosteroids which include glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. The second category is the sex steroids which include progesterone, androgens and oestrogens.
Androgens are the natural or synthetic hormones which bind to the receptors and help in maintaining male characteristics. Testosterone is an androgen which helps in production and maintenance of secondary male characters during puberty.
The steroid hormones are lipid based and are soluble in fat. The main function of steroid hormones is mineral balance, inflammatory response, stress response, and activates DNA for the synthesis of proteins, metabolism in bones, cardiovascular fitness, reproductive functions etc.
The steroid hormone production can be increased by increasing the intake of vitamin D, good sleep, minimising stress, taking a balanced diet etc.

Note-
Natural steroid hormones are the hormones which are found in plants, animals. These hormones act on the muscles of the body by increasing the production of testosterone. Another example of steroid hormones is estrogen and progesterone. The progesterone helps in maintaining pregnancy and menstrual cycle. Estrogen helps in the development of secondary sexual characters.