What is the Role of Cholesterol in Cell Membranes?
Cholesterol is interspersed within the phospholipid bilayer and plays a significant role in maintaining the fluidity and stability of the cell membrane. It helps to prevent the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids from sticking together, ensuring that the membrane remains flexible and functional across various temperatures. Cholesterol also contributes to the formation of lipid rafts, which are specialized membrane microdomains involved in important cellular processes.