Multiple Choice
In a typical mammalian plasma membrane, where is cholesterol primarily located within the lipid bilayer?
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8. Membrane Structure
The Lipid Bilayer
Multiple Choice
In the context of the lipid bilayer, where is cholesterol primarily located within the plasma membrane?
A
Covalently attached to the outer surface of the membrane as part of the glycocalyx
B
Exclusively embedded within transmembrane protein channels
C
Interspersed between the phospholipid fatty acid tails in the hydrophobic interior of the bilayer
D
Only in the aqueous cytosol, not associated with the membrane
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the structure of the plasma membrane, which is primarily composed of a phospholipid bilayer with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads facing outward and hydrophobic (water-repelling) fatty acid tails facing inward.
Understand that cholesterol is a lipid molecule that interacts with the membrane to modulate its fluidity and stability.
Identify that cholesterol is not covalently attached to the outer surface or part of the glycocalyx, which mainly consists of carbohydrates attached to proteins and lipids on the extracellular side.
Recognize that cholesterol is not embedded within transmembrane protein channels, as these channels are protein structures that span the membrane and have specific functions unrelated to cholesterol placement.
Conclude that cholesterol is primarily located interspersed between the phospholipid fatty acid tails in the hydrophobic interior of the bilayer, where it fits snugly and influences membrane properties.
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