Christian D’Antonio
Ms. Chakraborty
Chemistry 21
25 March 2016
Research Paper
Superpowers at Your Fingertips
9.79 seconds. 762 career home runs. 7 Tour De France wins. All of these statistics are extremely impressive, and one would think they would be world records. They were at one point. But former Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson, MLB baseball player Barry Bonds and cyclist Lance Armstrong all have admitted to using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), also known as anabolic steroids, thus terminating their records. The main use for taking anabolic steroids is muscle building, improving appearance, and the most common use, to enhance athletic performance. The use of steroids increases muscle mass, facial and body hair, aggressiveness as well …show more content…
They include many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins. Steroids are in the lipid family. Anabolic steroid research would fall under biochemistry and organic chemistry, as biochemistry is the study of processes within living things, and organic chemistry overlaps many areas of biochemistry. Steroids are found predominantly in eukaryotic cells, with cholesterol being the most prominent steroid molecule. Steroids at their core are simply carbon atoms bonding together, which form 4 fused rings. 3 of the rings are 6 membered rings, which are called cyclohexane rings (these are produced by reacting benzene and hydrogen). The other ring is called a cyclopentane (which consists of a ring of five carbon atoms each bonded with two hydrogen atom). When the body does something such as lift weights, it loses testosterone, and also tiny micro tears occur in the muscles. Testosterone in the body is used to help rebuild these small tears, and this is the way the body builds muscle. By adding steroids, the process is sped up dramatically. The process starts by taking the drug, either orally or by injection. The steroids travel through the bloodstream and make their way to the muscle tissue. The steroids come in contact with the muscle cells receiving dock. This is called an androgen receptor. From here, the steroid and the cell interact with each other, and recreate or simulate the protein synthesis, promoting cell growth and overall strength in the muscles. Steroids also can prevent fatigue/pain in muscles. Take a pitcher for example. After throwing 90+ miles per hour for 7+ innings, their arms, especially their elbows can be pretty tired. Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, is often released to spots that have been overused, and this creates soreness. Steroids can prevent this reaction,
Ms. Chakraborty
Chemistry 21
25 March 2016
Research Paper
Superpowers at Your Fingertips
9.79 seconds. 762 career home runs. 7 Tour De France wins. All of these statistics are extremely impressive, and one would think they would be world records. They were at one point. But former Olympic sprinter Ben Johnson, MLB baseball player Barry Bonds and cyclist Lance Armstrong all have admitted to using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs), also known as anabolic steroids, thus terminating their records. The main use for taking anabolic steroids is muscle building, improving appearance, and the most common use, to enhance athletic performance. The use of steroids increases muscle mass, facial and body hair, aggressiveness as well …show more content…
They include many hormones, alkaloids, and vitamins. Steroids are in the lipid family. Anabolic steroid research would fall under biochemistry and organic chemistry, as biochemistry is the study of processes within living things, and organic chemistry overlaps many areas of biochemistry. Steroids are found predominantly in eukaryotic cells, with cholesterol being the most prominent steroid molecule. Steroids at their core are simply carbon atoms bonding together, which form 4 fused rings. 3 of the rings are 6 membered rings, which are called cyclohexane rings (these are produced by reacting benzene and hydrogen). The other ring is called a cyclopentane (which consists of a ring of five carbon atoms each bonded with two hydrogen atom). When the body does something such as lift weights, it loses testosterone, and also tiny micro tears occur in the muscles. Testosterone in the body is used to help rebuild these small tears, and this is the way the body builds muscle. By adding steroids, the process is sped up dramatically. The process starts by taking the drug, either orally or by injection. The steroids travel through the bloodstream and make their way to the muscle tissue. The steroids come in contact with the muscle cells receiving dock. This is called an androgen receptor. From here, the steroid and the cell interact with each other, and recreate or simulate the protein synthesis, promoting cell growth and overall strength in the muscles. Steroids also can prevent fatigue/pain in muscles. Take a pitcher for example. After throwing 90+ miles per hour for 7+ innings, their arms, especially their elbows can be pretty tired. Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, is often released to spots that have been overused, and this creates soreness. Steroids can prevent this reaction,