Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Cortisone and related drugs are commonly referred to as what?

1. Vitamins

2. Hormones

3. Antibiotics

4. Steroids

The correct answer is: Steroids

Cortisone and related drugs are commonly referred to as steroids because they are synthetic derivatives of corticosteroids, which are hormones produced by the adrenal glands. These substances have a chemical structure that is characteristic of steroids and are used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Steroids are involved in a variety of physiological processes including metabolism, inflammation, and immune responses. Cortisone specifically helps in reducing inflammation and alleviating symptoms associated with allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, and other conditions. Other options such as vitamins, hormones, and antibiotics, do not accurately categorize cortisone. While cortisone is indeed a hormone in the broader sense, the term "steroids" is more specific to the class of drugs which encompasses a range of synthetic compounds, including cortisone, that are utilized in medical practice for their pharmacological effects.