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What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane?

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The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, surrounds the cell and protects what is inside from the outside environment. This lesson looks at the cell membrane in detail and focuses on cholesterol, which is one of the components found in the cell membrane. read more

Cholesterol Maintains the Integrity of the Cell Membrane. Surrounding each of our cells is a membrane called the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is a continuous double-layer of phospholipids, interweaved with cholesterol and proteins. Phospholipids are composed of two fatty acids attached to a phosphate compound as a head. read more

Cholesterol molecules regulate the fluidity of the cell membrane which is necessary for the cell to retain it's shape. If cholesterol is absent in the cell membrane , then because of excess fluidity there may be chances of cell lysis - breaking down of the cell. read more