Cholesterol Flashcards
1
Q
What is the structure of cholesterol?
A
- Hydrocarbon ring structure attached to the hydrocarbon tail
- Ring structure has a polar hydroxyl group attached
- Small and hydrophobic so can pass through the hydrophobic part of the cell membrane
2
Q
What are the roles of cholesterol?
A
- Manufactured mainly in the liver and intestines
- Important in the formation of cell membranes as they are positioned between phospholipids
—> this adds to the stability and fluidity of membranes by keeping their membranes fluid a low temperatures and stopping them becoming too fluid at high temperatures - The steroid hormones (testosterone, oestrogen, vitamin D) are all made from cholesterol
