Why Cholesterol Is Important In The Composition Of Cell Membranes

Cholesterol is a lipid with a unique structure consisting of four linked hydrocarbon rings forming the bulky steroid structure. There is a hydrocarbon tail linked to one end of the steroid and a hydroxyl group linked to the other end. The hydroxyl group is able to form hydrogen bonds with nearby carbonyl oxygen of phospholipid and sphingolipid headgroups.Cholesterol is referred as an amphipathic molecule, that it contains its hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts. Cholesterol is usually synthesized in animals and smaller cholesterol can be generated in plants.
They are important in the composition of cell membranes and also steroid hormones. There is no such thing as good and bad cholesterol.
Cholesterol also helps with the production of bile acids, which help the body digest fat.Cholesterol could easily be described as the smoking gun of the last two decades.Not only is cholesterol most likely not going to destroy your health (as you have been led to believe), but it is also not the cause of heart disease. …show more content…
Cholesterol is just cholesterol.Cholesterol is carried in your blood by proteins, and when the two combine they're called lipoproteins. It is very similar to Vitamin D.Cholesterol provides the framework for the synthesis of bile acids, which emulsify dietary fats for absorption.Move independently through the bloodstream, and so must be transported throughout the body as lipid