Are cholesterol hydrophobic or hydrophilic?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether cholesterol has a hydrophobic (water-repelling) or hydrophilic (water-attracting) nature. This is a fundamental concept in biochemistry and cell biology related to lipid structures.
Answer
Amphipathic
Cholesterol is amphipathic, having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
Answer for screen readers
Cholesterol is amphipathic, having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
More Information
Cholesterol is primarily a hydrophobic compound due to its hydrocarbon structure, but it also has a small hydrophilic hydroxyl group, making it amphipathic.
Tips
common mistakes made when solving the problem
Sources
- Cholesterol in the Cell Membrane | Overview, Function & Structure - study.com
- Is cholesterol a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic substance? - Wyzant - wyzant.com
- Cholesterol | BioNinja - old-ib.bioninja.com.au
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