1. Organic compounds derived from isoprene units; a large and diverse class of natural products found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, including terpenes, steroids, and carotenoids.
Usage: chemistry; biochemistry; plural form; singular is isoprenoid

Examples

• Isoprenoids play crucial roles in plant defense and animal physiology.
• Cholesterol and vitamin A are examples of isoprenoids found in living organisms.
• The biosynthesis of isoprenoids begins with the five-carbon isoprene unit.
• Many essential oils contain volatile isoprenoids that give plants their characteristic scents.
• Researchers study isoprenoids to understand their potential medical and industrial applications.
• Carotenoids are a class of isoprenoids responsible for the bright colors in fruits and vegetables.