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The cell membrane is made up of a phospholipid bi-layer (a phospholipid has a polar head, and two non polar tails). the membrane's structure makes it so that the heads are opposite each other, and their tails intertwine, so it look like this:

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) <-- polar heads

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | <-- 2 non polar tails

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) <-- the other side of the membrane (polar heads)

the spaces that the tails create keep the membrane's fluidity.

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13y ago
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12y ago

Cholesterol, it is thought of as a temperature buffer for the membrane, resisting changes in membrane fluidity that can be caused by changes in temperature.

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11y ago

The fluidity of a cell membrane means that it is flexible. The greater the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, the more fluid it is and vice versa.

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10y ago

yes

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11y ago

cholestrol

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Q: What is meant by the fluidity of the cell membrane?
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What is the function of a cholesterol in the cell membrane?

Cholesterol is found in the membrane. It prevents lower temperatures from inhibiting the fluidity of the membrane and prevents higher temperatures from increasing fluidity. It stabilizes the membrane. Only animal cells have cholesterol in their membranes.


Why endocytosis found in animal only?

Endocytosis requires the fluidity of the cell membrane. Plant and prokaryotic cells have cell walls, which do not have the fluidity required to form vesicles around materials.


What is the function of the cholesterol in a cell membranes?

Cholesterol is found in the membrane. It prevents lower temperatures from inhibiting the fluidity of the membrane and prevents higher temperatures from increasing fluidity. It stabilizes the membrane. Only animal cells have cholesterol in their membranes.


What is the role cholesterol in the cell membrane?

Cholesterol allows fluidity in the cell membrane. Cholesterol has a water loving region and also another region which is hydrophobic.


Which components is the most important in determining the fluidity of the cell membrane?

phospholipids and cholesterols


What is the function of the cholesterol molecules in a cell membrane?

Cholesterol is found in the membrane. It prevents lower temperatures from inhibiting the fluidity of the membrane and prevents higher temperatures from increasing fluidity. It stabilizes the membrane. Only animal cells have cholesterol in their membranes.


What major chemical that functions to stiffen cell membranes and thus regulates the fluidity of the animal cell membrane is what?

Cholesterol


What are some modulators of membrane fluidity?

Some moderators of membrane fluidity are the proteins embedded in it and cholesterol molecules also.


How is fluidity reduced in animal cells?

Membrane fluidity is reduced in animal cells when there are fewer non-uniform membrane components. Membrane molecules that increase fluidity include polyunsaturated phospholipids and cholesterol molecules.


Why is it important for the cell membrane to be fluid?

The reason why the cell membrane requires a fluid consistency is to allow certain molecules to pass through. Fluidity is also important for phagocytosis to take place.


What is contained in the plasma membrane of a cell?

Other than a few compounds that contribute to its fluidity, there are integral and peripheral proteins.


In what cellular object is cholesterol vital for structural integrity?

The phospholipid bilayer (the membrane) is dependent on cholesterol to keep the fluidity of the cell membrane, which has the consistancy of olive oil. The presence of cholesterol prevents the phospholipids from becoming too fliud and mushy as well as too firm. So cholesterol helps prevent against extremes in cell membrane fluidity.