Could anyone explain sterols?

hivesaeed4

I don't get what they are. My professor said that they were receptors (present in the cell membrane) for different microorganisms but I just can't understand it because my understanding of a receptor is like a receptor for a hormone. Do sterols work similarly?

aroc91

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterol

Ygggdrasil

Sterols are not receptors for microorganisms. They are a class of lipids that play a number of roles in the body. Some sterols are hormones that act on nuclear receptors.

parkerjm

Sterols found in the cell membrane typically serve a structural role; they decrease the fluidity of the membrane. As an example, a plant adapted to survive in colder temperatures will typically have fewer sterols in its cells' membranes than, say, a plant adapted for tropical environments.

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hivesaeed4	Could anyone explain sterols? Tweet I don't get what they are. My professor said that they were receptors (present in the cell membrane) for different microorganisms but I just can't understand it because my understanding of a receptor is like a receptor for a hormone. Do sterols work similarly?

Ygggdrasil Recognitions: Science Advisor	Sterols are not receptors for microorganisms. They are a class of lipids that play a number of roles in the body. Some sterols are hormones that act on nuclear receptors.

parkerjm	Could anyone explain sterols? Sterols found in the cell membrane typically serve a structural role; they decrease the fluidity of the membrane. As an example, a plant adapted to survive in colder temperatures will typically have fewer sterols in its cells' membranes than, say, a plant adapted for tropical environments.