Final Answer:
Steroids are a group of steroid hormones found in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Steroids constitute a class of organic compounds that share a common structure, characterized by four interconnected carbon rings. Within the broad category of steroids, there are various subclasses, and among them are steroid hormones. These hormones play crucial roles in physiological processes in both vertebrates (such as humans, mammals, birds, and fish) and invertebrates (organisms lacking a backbone, like insects and mollusks).
Steroid hormones function as signaling molecules that regulate numerous physiological functions, including growth, metabolism, immune response, and reproductive processes. Examples of steroid hormones include sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as adrenal hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. The diverse functions of steroid hormones highlight their importance across different species in the animal kingdom.