Final answer:
Nerve cells have a higher amount of cholesterol in their membranes because cholesterol is essential for the integrity and function of the myelin sheath, which is vital for rapid signal transmission along neurons.
Step-by-step explanation:
Higher Cholesterol Concentration in Cell Membranes
The type of body cell that would have a higher amount of cholesterol in its membrane is the nerve cell. Cholesterol is crucial in cell membranes for maintaining fluidity and is also involved in signaling pathways. Nerve cells, or neurons, with their long extensions called axons, require a high concentration of cholesterol, especially because cholesterol is found in the myelin sheath of nerve cells that facilitates rapid signal transmission. Additionally, cholesterol is about 30% of the cell membrane and is a precursor to various steroid hormones, which are significant in nerve function. In contrast, muscle, skin, and red blood cells do not rely on rapid signal transmission and myelination to the same extent.
Cholesterol plays a vital role in imparting rigidity to the cell membrane, where it is usually found floating in the phospholipid tail layer or penetrating both lipid layers. The importance of cholesterol in the nerve cell highlights its role in maintaining the structure and function of the extensive network critical for neuron communication.