Which of the following describes the most likely location of cholesterol in an animal cell?

• A. Attached to ribosomes on the rough endoplasmic reticulum
• B. Floating freely in the cytoplasm
• C. Embedded within the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane
• D. Inside the nucleus

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of an animal cell, focusing on the plasma membrane, which is composed of a phospholipid bilayer.
2. Recognize that cholesterol is a lipid molecule that plays a crucial role in maintaining the fluidity and stability of the cell membrane.
3. Recall that the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane is where cholesterol is embedded, as it interacts with the fatty acid tails of the phospholipids.
4. Consider the function of cholesterol in the membrane, which includes modulating membrane fluidity and serving as a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones.
5. Conclude that the most likely location of cholesterol in an animal cell is embedded within the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane, rather than in the cytoplasm, nucleus, or attached to ribosomes.