Final answer:
The statement that naturally occurring sterols in plants are called phytosterols is true. Phytosterols are plant-based sterols that differ from cholesterol, which is found in animal products.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that naturally occurring sterols found in plants are called phytosterols is true. Plants, as well as fungi and animals, synthesize sterols which are important structural components within their cell membranes. In plants, these sterols play various physiological roles and are involved in maintaining the integrity and fluidity of cellular membranes. Unlike cholesterol, which is a sterol commonly found in animal cells and products, phytosterols are their plant-based counterparts.
Cholesterol is synthesized by the liver in humans and animals and is not found in plants. Instead, plants have their unique sterols such as beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, collectively known as phytosterols. These compounds are structurally similar to cholesterol but differ enough to impart distinctive functions within plant biology.
Understanding the role of phytosterols extends beyond just biology and into health and nutrition, as they are known to provide health benefits such as lowering LDL cholesterol levels in humans when consumed as part of a diet.