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Sterol
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A sterol is a type of organic molecule that belongs to a class of lipids (a group of molecules that are insoluble in water and soluble in organic solvents). Sterols are characterized by their four fused rings (three six-membered rings and one five-membered ring) and a hydroxyl group on one of the rings. The most well-known sterol is cholesterol, which is found in all animal cells and is an essential component of cell membranes. Other examples of sterols include ergosterol (found in fungi) and stigmasterol (found in plants). Sterols play important roles in many biological processes, including regulating membrane fluidity, signaling, and hormone regulation.
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