ergosterol

[ ur-gos-tuh-rohl, -rawl ]
/ ɜrˈgɒs təˌroʊl, -rɔl /

noun Biochemistry.

a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble sterol, C28H43OH, that occurs in ergot and yeast and that, when irradiated with ultraviolet light, is converted to vitamin D.

Origin of ergosterol

First recorded in 1885–90; ergo-2 + sterol

Words nearby ergosterol

ergometer, ergonomic, ergonomics, ergonovine, ergophobia, ergosterol, ergot, ergotamine, ergotin, ergotism, ergotoxine

British Dictionary definitions for ergosterol

ergosterol
/ (ɜːˈɡɒstəˌrɒl) /

noun

a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH

Medical definitions for ergosterol

ergosterol
[ ûr-gŏs′tə-rôl′, -rōl′ ]

n.

A crystalline sterol synthesized by yeast from sugars or derived from ergot and converted to vitamin D2 when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.