The principal precursor of cholesterol is -: (A) Citrate, (B) Acetate, (C) Glycerol, (D) Lanosterol
Answer is B. Acetate

All carbon atoms of cholesterol are derived from acetyl-CoA (activated acetate).

"Cholesterol is a C-27 compound. All its carbon atoms are provided by a single precursor, acetate". — Essential of biochemistry