Final answer:
Cholesterol is the most prominent steroid synthesized in the liver, necessary for many bodily functions, and can be found in animal-based foods in the diet. The correct answer to the question is c) Cholesterol.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cholesterol is the most prominent steroid synthesized in the liver and found in almost all body tissues. Cholesterol is essentially required for our body's proper functioning, as it is a component of the plasma membrane of animal cells and is the precursor of many steroid hormones, such as testosterone and estradiol. In addition, cholesterol serves as the precursor for bile salts which aid in the digestion and absorption of fats.
In our diet, cholesterol can be obtained from animal-based foods like meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy products. However, our body produces the majority of the cholesterol it needs, and only a small amount is acquired from dietary sources.
Therefore, the answer to the question is: c) Cholesterol.