medium · MCAT bio-biochem
How does the presence of cholesterol affect the fluidity of a biological membrane at high and low temperatures?
- Cholesterol decreases fluidity at all temperatures by increasing the thickness of the bilayer.
- Cholesterol increases fluidity at all temperatures by disrupting the packing of fatty acid tails.
- Cholesterol acts as a 'fluidity buffer,' decreasing fluidity at high temperatures and increasing it at low temperatures.
- Cholesterol has no effect on fluidity; its only role is in intracellular signaling.
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