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Sterol
 

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Sterol




Sterols, or '''steroid alcohols''' are a subgroup of Steroid s with a Hydroxyl Group in the 3-position of the A-ring. They are Amphipathic Lipid s synthetised from Acetyl Coenzyme A . The overall molecule is quite flat. The hydroxyl group on the A ring is polar. The rest of the aliphatic chain is non-polar.

Sterols are important for the physiology of eukaryotic organisms. They form part of the Cellular Membrane where they modulate their fluidity and function and participate as secondary messengers in developmental signaling.

Different organisms utilize different sterols. The most important ones are Cholesterol , Phytosterol s, and some Steroid Hormone s in animals, and Campesterol , Sitosterol and Stigmasterol in plants.