Why is cholesterol a critical component of the plasma membrane?
A) Cholesterol serves a role in cell recognition.
B) Cholesterol stabilizes the structure of the plasma membrane when the temperature changes.
C) Cholesterol catalyzes metabolic reactions from its position within the plasma membrane.
D) Cholesterol transports certain molecules into the cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cholesterol is important for maintaining the fluidity and stability of the plasma membrane, especially when temperature changes, by preventing the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids from packing too closely together.

Why Is Cholesterol a Critical Component of the Plasma Membrane