Approximately 30% of all college athletes are on some type of anabolic steroids.

Question

Approximately 30% of all college athletes are on some type of anabolic steroids. Discuss the biochemistry and physiology of anabolic steroids. Here are some questions to think about and discuss with your classmates: How do anabolic steroids work? That is, how do they make muscles grow? Do muscle cells undergo mitotic cell division? What is the connection with cholesterol, testosterone, and estrogen? What is the difference between anabolic steroids and the steroids your doctor prescribes to you for inflammation? What is the problem with over-the-counter supplements like androstenedione? What are the side effects of steroid use? Do you think professional athletes should be tested for anabolic steroid use?

Explanation / Answer

The Biochemistry and physiology of anabolic steroids doping. Anabolic Steroids are those chemical and pharmacological derivatives of the male hormone testosterone which are used for increasing burst and sprinting activities during sports.

Anabolic steroids work as they help the body's muscle cells produce more protein which, as long as the athletes works out, leads to increased muscle size and strength and, at the same time, also allows the body to produce more ATP, the "fuel" muscles need to move.

No, they don't. Only body/somatic cells undergo mitotic division. Muscle cells do not have the ability to divide.

Cholesterol can also be found in high amounts inside the brain and it's vital for its complex processes. And here's exactly why cholesterol is vital for yourtestosterone production: Cholesterol is a precursor for all your sex hormones, and this includes the principal male hormone: testosterone.

Corticosteroids are designed to help reduce the body’s inflammation. Very often it is prescribed to people with chronic inflammatory conditions, including asthma, and other chronic lung problems. Steroids are a man-made version of the natural hormone, that is predominantly male. Muscle growth in the body is caused by the natural form of the hormone. Steroids cause additional and unnatural muscle growth.

Since it is a hormone, there are some rather serious side effects when it comes to the use of anabolic steroids. Facial hair often grows faster and thicker, even if the user is female. The body mass develops at a much faster rate.

Common side effects of oral steroids include:

the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs say that the athletes who use them are breaking the rules and getting an unfair advantage over others. Opponents of the drugs say the athletes are endangering not only their own health, but also indirectly encouraging youngsters to do the same.

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