What is Cholesterol:

Cholesterol is an organic lipid molecule that is biosynthized by animals because they need it to make the cell membrane for animals cells to hold integrity and structural flexibility. So this would allow animal cells to change shape with out a cell wall.

Biosynthesis - The creating of complex molecules in living organisms.

Cholesterol is also a precursor or is needed to make Bile acid, Vitamin D, and steroid hormones.

Function: In the hydroxyl group of the Chloresterol, it attaches that part to the phospholipids and the sphgolipids. Through that attatchment it compacts the membrane which alters the fluidity and maintains the integrity of the cell so the cell does not need a wall.

ALSO LOWERS PERMIABILTY OF THE CELL - to neural solutes such as hydrogen ions and sodium ions.

Within the cell, it acts as a signaling transport and nerve conduction therefore resulting in endocytosis.

ENDOCYTOSIS - is when the cell transports the a solid particle that can not pass through the membrane, by creating a vaculole.

In the mylen shieth which is rich in chloresterol, it helps conduct more signaling and electrical pulses between the nerves.

It is a precursor for Adrenal horomones such as estrogen and testosterone.

	Created by Peter Roque over 8 years ago

Facts about Cholesterol