One of the characteristic features of a living cell is that it controls the exchange of electrically charged ions across the cell membrane and therefore the electrical potential of its interior relative to the exterior. This Scholarpedia page is a basic introduction into the mechanisms underlying this process.
Here are the ranges for total cholesterol in adults: 1  Normal: Less than 200 mg/dL. 2  Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL. 3  High: At or above 240 mg/dL.
The chart here displays 5 cholesterol numbers: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and also VLDL cholesterol. It also displays the healthy range, along with risk zones pertaining to each one. The recommended measurements for the total cholesterol are below 200. As for triglycerides, it is below 150. HDL should be 50 plus, under 35 is very risky. LDL should be below 130. Finally, VLDL should be below 30. Cholesterol levels are in the unit of mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter of blood) in the USA.