Question

Embedded in the plasma membrane of cells, cholesterol molecules act to Embedded in the plasma membrane of cells, cholesterol molecules act to allow water to easily pass through the plasma membrane. participate in pinocytosis. stabilize the membrane. destabilize the membrane, leading to heart attacks. make the membrane more resistant to freezing.

Answer 1

Stabilize the membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cholesterol is part of the plasmatic membrane along with lipids and proteins. Its function is to stabilize the membrane since it keeps the phospholipids together, avoiding gaps between them that make the membrane less impermeable. Also, it avoids the compacting of the phospholipids when the temperatures are too low since it increases the melting point. If phospholipids were too close, small molecules would not pass through the membrane as efficiently as they should. Due to the regulation that cholesterol has on the membrane, we can say that it stabilizes it.