Bilayer cell membrane contains
**Core Concept**
The bilayer cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, with a unique arrangement of lipid and protein molecules. The phospholipid bilayer is the main structural component of the cell membrane, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the movement of substances across the membrane.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The bilayer cell membrane contains cholesterol, which is an essential component of the phospholipid bilayer. Cholesterol molecules insert themselves into the lipid bilayer, where they interact with the phospholipid headgroups and tails. This interaction helps to maintain the fluidity and stability of the bilayer, preventing it from becoming too rigid or too fluid. Cholesterol also helps to regulate the movement of substances across the membrane by influencing the fluidity and permeability of the bilayer.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option B:** Triacyl glycerol, also known as triglyceride, is a type of lipid that is primarily found in the form of adipose tissue, where it serves as a storage form of energy. It is not a component of the bilayer cell membrane.
**Option C:** Cholesterol ester is a type of cholesterol that is esterified with a fatty acid. While cholesterol esters are important in lipid metabolism, they are not a component of the bilayer cell membrane.
**Option D:** Glycerol is a simple polyol that is a component of triglycerides and phospholipids, but it is not a component of the bilayer cell membrane itself.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The presence of cholesterol in the bilayer cell membrane is essential for maintaining the fluidity and stability of the membrane. This is particularly important in cells that require rapid membrane turnover, such as those in the nervous system.
**β Correct Answer: A. Cholesterol**