Cholesterol Lab Report

Individual Application: Cholesterol

a) The shape of cholesterol is that it’s composed of three different fragments, a hydrocarbon tail, four steroid (hydrocarbon) rings, and a hydroxyl group. Since the hydroxyl group is polar, and the hydrocarbon rings and hydrocarbon tail are non-polar, it makes the molecule amphiphilic. The size of cholesterol varies between what types of cholesterol that is being observed. The two types of cholesterol found in the blood are low-density lipoprotein (LDP, the ‘bad’ one) and high-density lipoprotein (HDP, the ‘good’ one). Also, there are two types of LDP cholesterol particles, type-B, which are small and dense, and type-A, which are large and fluffy. Moreover, HPD is smaller than, LDP but with a more complex

Firstly, it influences cholesterol’s solubility because of its polarity. Since the hydroxyl group is polar, it allows this portion of the molecule’s structure to be able to dissolve in water, causing cholesterol to be an alcohol. Overall, the molecule is amphiphilic because the hydroxyl group allows cholesterol to be hydrophilic, and the presence of its other structural features causes it to be hydrophobic. Secondly, the hydroxyl group influences cholesterol’s reactivity because it’s what causes the molecule to be very reactive, since the hydrocarbon tail and hydrocarbon rings are not as reactive. Thirdly, the hydroxyl group influences the cholesterol’s physical shape because its presence makes cholesterol a steroid alcohol. Also, it acts as a pivot point around which the molecule tilts. Furthermore, some researchers also discovered the presence of cholesterol’s hydroxyl group to not be at the end, but in the middle of a polyunsaturated lipid membrane. This seems to be caused by the polyunsaturated lipid membrane’s incapability to be in close proximity with cholesterol’s usually hydroxyl position. Lastly, the hydroxyl group influences cholesterol’s overall function because it helps the molecule regulate the membrane. It does this by cooperating with the membrane phospholipids and sphingolipid’s’ polar head

Cholesterol is found in every one of the cells in the body, and without the presence of this molecule, the body will not be able to function because it need certain amounts of cholesterol to survive. Firstly, this molecule is located in the ovaries and testes, where it is converted to steroid hormones. These steroid hormones play a key role in helping the human body function, thus the absence of these hormones can cause malfunctions with weight, bone health, mental status, etc. Secondly, cholesterol helps the liver to make bile which helps human beings digest their food. Without the production of bile, humans are unable to digest foods, mainly fats. If this occurs, the undigested fat will get into the bloodstream causing the arteries to be blocked, which can lead to heart attacks. Finally, cholesterol are one of the main components that make up the structure of the cells in the human body. Its role is to provide a protective barrier. Also, cholesterol needs to be kept at certain quantities, thus if an alteration in the quantity of cholesterol occurs, the cells become affected, which can impact the ability for humans to metabolize and produce