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Cholesterol is a ........
Cholesterol is a sterol (a combination steroid and alcohol) and a Lipid found in the Cell membranes of all body tissues, and transported in the Blood plasma of all animals. Lesser amounts of cholesterol are also found in plant membranes.
The name originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as researchers first identified cholesterol in solid form in Gallstones in 1784.
Cholesterol is not necessarily dietary in origin; it is synthesized internally by the body if a sufficient supply is not available from dietary intake. Cholesterol is present in higher concentrations in tissues which either produce more or have more densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, Spinal cord and brain, and also in atheromata. Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemical processes, but is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease with various lipoprotein cholesterol transport patterns and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
Hope this helps.
Rick the Pharmacist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cholesterol...
