Question

What is the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane?

• A. It functions in joining adjacent cells together.
• B. It functions in recognizing foreign cells.
• C. It increases the rate of transport of ions across the membrane.
• D. It stabilizes the cell membrane.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

It stabilizes the cell membrane.

Cholesterol is interspersed between the phospholipid bilayer. In case of temperature deviation the fatty acid tails may melt or freeze. Changing the fluidity of the membrane, that is, with increase in temperature the phospholipid entities tend to move away from each other and in low temperature the molecules will move very close to each other. Disturbing the membrane's ability to transport substances. Cholesterol is the stabilizing molecule that prevents extreme movement of phospholipids during temperature fluctuation

So, the correct answer is 'It stabilizes the cell membrane'