Final answer:
Cholesterol is synthesized in the liver, found in animal-based foods, and is necessary for the body's functioning. It does not occur in plants and is not stored in muscle tissues or bone marrow. The correct answer is A) Liver and animal-based foods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is primarily synthesized in the liver and found in animal-based foods. It plays essential roles in the body such as being a structural component of cell membranes, a precursor for steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. However, cholesterol does not naturally occur in plants. An average adult human synthesizes about 1000 mg of cholesterol every day aside from what is obtained through diet. Foods that are high in cholesterol include meats, eggs, and dairy products.
It is essential for the proper functioning of the body despite sometimes being viewed negatively due to its association with heart disease when levels in the blood become too high. High dietary intake of cholesterol, especially from sources high in saturated fats can lead to increased blood cholesterol levels, contributing to health issues such as atherosclerosis. Therefore the correct answer to the question of where cholesterol is found is A) Liver and animal-based foods as plant-based foods do not contain cholesterol, and it's not specifically synthesized or stored in muscle tissues or bone marrow in significant amounts.