EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Cholesterol is also a key determinant of membrane fluidity: at high temperatures, cholesterol acts to stabilize the cell membrane and increase its melting point; while at low temperatures, it inserts into phospholipids and prevents them from interfering with each other to avoid aggregation [39].

Detailed explanation-2: -Cholesterol contains a tetracyclic ring structure and adopts a trans conformation, rendering the molecule a planar and rigid characteristics that increases membrane packing and contributes to the integrity and rigidity of cell membranes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cholesterol molecules are positioned within the bilayer to link the fatty acid molecules and stabilize and strengthen the membrane.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cholesterol is a sterol lipid that is also an amphiphile and an important component of the cell membrane. Cholesterol situates itself in between the phospholipids to help stabilize the membrane. Cholesterol also plays an important role in regulating membrane fluidity during changes in temperature.

Detailed explanation-5: -Cholesterol induced the tight linkage of the lipid bilayer with cytoskeleton. Taken together, these results suggest that the erythrocyte membrane stability is affected by such tight linkage by cholesterol. Human erythrocyte membrane is characterized by its stability and deformability.