Question

Outline the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane.

A) Facilitating membrane fluidity, supporting protein functions, aiding in transport
B) Enhancing cell recognition, promoting cell adhesion, regulating cell growth
C) Assisting in genetic material storage, aiding in cell division, maintaining cell shape
D) Regulating membrane fluidity, reducing permeability, preventing cell recognition

Answer 1

Cholesterol regulates membrane fluidity, helps maintain its stability, and contributes to the formation of lipid rafts, which organize proteins for cell signaling and transport.

Step-by-step explanation:

The role of cholesterol in the cell membrane is multifaceted, mainly involving the maintenance of membrane structure and function. One of the crucial roles of cholesterol is to regulate membrane fluidity. It acts as a buffer, preventing the phospholipid bilayer from becoming too rigid in cold temperatures and too fluid at high temperatures, thereby extending the range of temperatures at which the membrane can function effectively.

Cholesterol also contributes to the overall stability and integrity of the cell membrane, and it is involved in the formation of lipid rafts—which are specialized domains within the membrane that organize transmembrane proteins and are crucial for various cellular functions like signaling and transport.