CHOLESTEROL definition: 1. a substance containing a lot of fat that is found in the body tissue and blood of all animals…. Learn more. Understand about cell membranes, cholesterol testing, normal levels by age, and causes of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [3][4] Cholesterol is biosynthesized by all animal cells [5] and is an essential structural and signaling component of animal cell membranes. In vertebrates, hepatic cells typically produce the greatest amounts. In the brain, astrocytes produce cholesterol and transport it to neurons. [6] It is absent among prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea ... What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is the most prominent member of the steroid family of lipids. It is a waxy, fat-like substance found primarily in the cells of animals and humans, where it is also the principal sterol. All cells and other body fluids contain some cholesterol, either in free form or in storage form. Cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (DL) of blood. The average level of cholesterol should range from 200-300 mg/DL. Cholesterol is ...
