Cholesterol concentration is important for both maintaining

Cholesterol concentration is important for both maintaining membrane fluidity and controlling permeability. Describe how the cholesterol content of cell membranes found in cold water fish would differ from those in tropical fish.

Solution

Cold water fish needs more unsaturated fatty acids along with high cholesterol in membranes to ensure adaptation to the cold environment. Where as tropical fish have more saturated fatty acids along with less amount of cholesterol compared to cold water fish, which helps tropical fish membranes normal functions.