ecdysteroid

1 9.9

Hormones in insects and animals like spiders and crabs that make them shed their skin and help them reproduce

noun
/ˌɛk.dɪˈstaɪ.rɔɪd/

Specialized

: ecdisteroide

Scientists study how ecdysteroid hormones regulate molting in various arthropods.

Examples

The synthesis of ecdysteroid hormones is crucial for successful insect development.
Researchers observed increased levels of ecdysteroid during the larval stage of the butterflies.
Plants sometimes produce substances that mimic ecdysteroid to affect insect growth and survival.
The presence of ecdysteroid is crucial for insect molting.
Scientists study how ecdysteroids affect insect growth.
Researchers observed increased levels of ecdysteroid during the larval stage of the butterflies.
The synthesis of ecdysteroid hormones is crucial for successful insect development.

Synonyms

steroid hormone

vsecdysteroid

Specialized

1 4.6

A chemical made from cholesterol that controls growth and development of sex organs

is specific to insects and arthropods and controls molting and reproduction

Surface Forms

ecdysteroid singular

ecdysteroids plural

Morphology

ecdysteroid = steroid (opaque) = ecdys + steroid

The combining form 'ecdys-' (relating to molting) is a specialized biological morpheme unfamiliar to average learners, so the full meaning cannot be derived from 'steroid' alone.

Etymology

Ecdysteroid comes from the Greek root ecdys- meaning 'to take off' or 'shedding' and the familiar word steroid for a type of hormone. So ecdysteroids are 'shedding' hormones that tell insects and other small animals when to shed their skin and grow.