Figure 4.

The average area per molecule as a function of mole fraction of cholesterol, a_avg (χ_C), for two-component bilayers of cholesterol with DMPC (circles, red line), SOPC (pentagons, green line), or DOPC (stars, blue line). All data (symbols) shown here are determined from previously reported measurements of bilayer thickness or area per unit cell conducted at 30°C (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51). The average area per molecule is well approximated as exponentially increasing with decreasing cholesterol mole fraction (colored lines). DOPC data is offset (increased) by 5 Å² to avoid overlap with the SOPC data. To see this figure in color, go online.