Answer
Cholesterol benefits cellular functions by modifying the fluidity of cell membranes. A membrane that is too rigid or a too stiff does not facilitate optimal cellular functioning.
At temperatures higher than body temperature cholesterol stabilizes cell membranes by raising their melting points. At temperatures below body temperature, cholesterol molecules insert between the lipid molecules and prevent them from clustering and the membrane from stiffening. By maintaining the fluidity of plasma membranes cholesterol helps to maintain optimal membrane functioning.
Work Step by Step
The fluidity of membranes is necessary for optimal functionining. As body temperature increases membranes tend to become too fluid and as temperatures fall below normal body temperature membranes tend to stiffen. Too stiff or too fluid membranes do not function optimally. Cholesterol molecules insets between the lipid molecules and stabilizes the membrane when body temperatures vary outside of the normal range. Normal membrane fluidity benefits the cell in several ways: the important cellular processes of growth, movement, division, and secretion function better when the fluidity of the cell membrane is normal; in addition, at normal fluidity the cell membrane is strongest and most capable of self-sealing if punctured or damaged.
