cholesterol is an integral part of plasma membranes. based on its structure, where is it found in the membrane?

Cholesterol is found within the tail bilayer of the plasma membrane. Its structure allows it to intercalate between the fatty acid chains of the phospholipids. Specifically, the polar hydroxyl (-OH) group of cholesterol aligns near the polar head groups of the phospholipids, while the nonpolar rigid steroid ring and hydrocarbon tail embed within the hydrophobic fatty acid tails of the membrane lipids. This positioning helps regulate membrane fluidity and stability by preventing the fatty acid chains from packing too closely and crystallizing, thus maintaining membrane integrity and fluidity.