Question

What is the purpose of cholesterol in a phospolipid bilayer?

What is the purpose of cholesterol in a phospolipid bilayer?

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Answer #1

Answer:

Cholesterol is exclusively found in animals. and is the most abundant animal sterol. Cholesterol was first isolated from bile and the word literally means "solid alcohol from bile".

Cholesterol is widely distributed in the cells and is a major component of cell membranes and phospholipid layer where it carries out many functions:

  • As a Structural component of plasma membranes, cholesterol is an important determinant of membrane permeability.
  • It makes the membrane less permeable to very small water soluble molecules that would otherwise freely cross the membrane.
  • It immobilizes the outer surface of the membrane, reducing it's fluidity.
  • As cholesterol is poor conductor of heat and electricity, it acts as an insulating cover.
  • Cholesterol strengthens the phospholipid bilayer
  • It helps regulate activity of certain membrane proteins
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