Sterane
Encyclopedia
Steranes are a class of 4-cyclic compound
s derived from steroids or sterols via diagenetic
and catagenetic
degradation and saturation. Steranes have an androstane
skeleton with a side chain at carbon C-17. The sterane structure constitutes the core of all sterols. Steranes are sometimes used as biomarkers for the presence of eukaryotic cell
s.
Cyclic compound
In chemistry, a cyclic compound is a compound in which a series of atoms is connected to form a loop or ring.While the vast majority of cyclic compounds are organic, a few inorganic substances form cyclic compounds as well, including sulfur, silanes, phosphanes, phosphoric acid, and triboric acid. ...
s derived from steroids or sterols via diagenetic
Diagenesis
In geology and oceanography, diagenesis is any chemical, physical, or biological change undergone by a sediment after its initial deposition and during and after its lithification, exclusive of surface alteration and metamorphism. These changes happen at relatively low temperatures and pressures...
and catagenetic
Catagenesis (geology)
Catagenesis is a term used in petroleum geology to describe the cracking process which results in the conversion of organic kerogens into hydrocarbons.-Theoretical reaction:...
degradation and saturation. Steranes have an androstane
Androstane
Androstane is a steroid nucleus. Androstane can exist as either of two isomers, known as 5α-androstane and 5β-androstane....
skeleton with a side chain at carbon C-17. The sterane structure constitutes the core of all sterols. Steranes are sometimes used as biomarkers for the presence of eukaryotic cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell is an academic journal published by the American Society for Microbiology. The title is commonly abbreviated EC and the ISSN is 1535-9778 for the print version, and 1535-9786 for the electronic version....
s.