The cholesterol molecule (pink) is most likely to play what role in the membrane?
- A
Bind extracellular hormones (serves as the primary receptor for steroid signaling)
- B
Catalyze metabolic reactions in the bilayer (acts as enzyme on lipid substrates)
- Ccheck_circle
Buffer membrane fluidity (reduces fluidity at high temp, prevents stiffening at low temp)
- D
Pump ions across the membrane (uses ATP to move sodium and potassium against gradients)
Explanation
Cholesterol intercalates between phospholipids in animal cell membranes, modulating fluidity across temperature ranges.