๐Ÿฆ microbiology review

key term - Cholesterol

Definition

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. It is essential for making hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest foods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Cholesterol is a key component of cell membranes in eukaryotic cells, providing structural integrity and fluidity.
  2. In microbial biochemistry, cholesterol can influence the function and permeability of cellular membranes.
  3. Certain antimicrobial drugs target pathways involved in cholesterol synthesis to disrupt microbial cell functions.
  4. High levels of cholesterol in human hosts can affect drug efficacy by altering membrane properties.
  5. Sterols like cholesterol are found predominantly in eukaryotes but not in most prokaryotes.

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