Cholesterol and Its Influence on Membrane Fluidity
Cholesterol is an essential component of all animal cell membranes. We’ll explore the structure of cholesterol, as well as its role in modulating the fluidity of the cell membrane, and the effects of temperature on membrane fluidity.
Topics
- AP
- AP Biology
- AP Bio
- next generation science standards
- NGSS
- cholesterol
- lipids
- steroids
- cell membranes
- lipid bilayer
- cells
- membrane fluidity
- biosynthesis
- testosterone
- estrogen
- phospholipids
- amphipathic
- polar
- hydrophilic
- hydrophobic
- carbon ring structure
- nonpolar
- hydrocarbon tail
- hydroxyl group
- free rotations
- carbon-carbon bonds
- rigid
- extracellular space
- cytosol
- fatty acid tail
- temperatures
- saturated fatty acids
- unsaturated fatty acids
- double bonds
- kinks
- scientific experimentation
- in vitro
- laboratory
- movement
- immobilizes
- crystal-like structure
- ectothermic animals
- endothermic animals
- evolutionary processes
- environment