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Q. What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?
Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cell's interior and its environment.
Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cell's interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.
  • a)
    It increases fluidity
  • b)
    It decreases fluidity
  • c)
    It has no effect on fluidity
  • d)
    It depends on the temperature
  • e)
    None of these
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane...
Cholesterol can either increase or decrease the fluidity of the cell membrane, depending on the temperature.
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Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for MCAT 2024 is part of MCAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the MCAT exam syllabus. Information about Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for MCAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for MCAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for MCAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Q.What is the role of cholesterol in the fluidity of the cell membrane?Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids and serve as the boundary for cells. Phospholipids consist of a pair of fatty acids, which can have carbon-carbon double bonds or not, connected to a three-carbon glycerol with a phosphate group. The structure of phospholipids forms a bilayer with hydrophilic phosphate ends facing the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane, while the hydrophobic fatty acid chains extend into the space between these surfaces. This selectively permeable membrane facilitates the exchange of substances between the cells interior and its environment.Due to the hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the plasma cell membrane, only certain molecules can passively diffuse between the cells interior and the environment. The fluidity of the membrane affects passive transport, and the presence of other molecules, such as cholesterol, can significantly impact its fluidity. Temperature also influences membrane fluidity. Researchers conducted measurements to compare the speed of oxygen molecules (O2) moving through three types of membranes (lens lipid, POPC/CHOL, and POPC) with their movement through water. These measurements were conducted at different temperatures.a)It increases fluidityb)It decreases fluidityc)It has no effect on fluidityd)It depends on the temperaturee)None of theseCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice MCAT tests.
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