Question

What would a cell membrane with a high cholesterol content be like?

A) More fluid and flexible
B) Less permeable to ions
C) More rigid and less flexible
D) No impact on membrane properties

Answer 1

A cell membrane with a high cholesterol content would be more rigid and less flexible, making it less permeable to ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cholesterol is used in the cell membrane to impart rigidity -the higher the proportion of cholesterol in the cell membrane, the more rigid the membrane. On the other hand, cholesterol molecules tend to fill the space between fatty acids in the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, reducing the lateral mobility of phospholipid and protein components. This results in a more rigid and less flexible cell membrane and also makes it less permeable to ions.