Cholesterol,
from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid) followed by the chemical
suffix -ol for an alcohol, is an organic chemical substance classified as
a waxy steroid of fat. It is an essential
structural component of mammalian cell membranes and is required to
establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity.
In
addition to its importance within cells, cholesterol also serves as a precursor
for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D.
Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals; in vertebrates it
is formed predominantly in the liver. Small quantities are synthesized in other cellular
organisms (eukaryotes) such as
plants and fungi. It is almost completely absent among prokaryotes (i.e.,
bacteria).
Although
cholesterol is important and necessary for human health, high levels of
cholesterol in the blood have
been linked to damage to arteries and cardiovascular disease.
0 comments:
Post a Comment