Why is Cholesterol a Critical Component of the Plasma Membrane

Question

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

Accepted Answer

Cholesterol helps to stabilize the structure of the plasma membrane by preventing the phospholipid molecules from packing too closely together or separating too far apart. This is especially important when the temperature changes, such as in response to a fever or exposure to cold temperatures.