Which of the following is the main component of the cell membrane? phospholipids cholesterol carbohydrates water

The **main component of the cell membrane is phospholipids**. ### Explanation: - **Phospholipids**: These molecules form a bilayer that makes up the fundamental structure of the cell membrane. Each phospholipid has a hydrophilic (water-attracting) "head" and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) "tails." This arrangement creates a semi-permeable membrane that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. - **Cholesterol**: While cholesterol is also a significant component of the cell membrane, especially in animal cells where it helps modulate membrane fluidity and stability, it is present in smaller amounts compared to phospholipids. - **Carbohydrates**: Carbohydrates are attached to proteins and lipids on the extracellular surface of the membrane, playing roles in cell recognition and signaling. However, they are not the main structural component. - **Water**: Water is abundant in and around cells and within the membrane's structure but is not a structural component of the membrane itself. ### Summary: **Phospholipids** form the primary structural framework of the cell membrane, making them its main component.