During palmitate synthesis, malonyl-CoA molecules keep on being added to the fatty acid chain, seven malonyl CoA molecules total. Ketogenesis does not involve the synthesis of ; rather, NADH is oxidized to  as -hydroxybutyrate is formed from acetoacetate. The cofactor produced by the pentose phosphate pathway is NADPH, whereas the -oxidation-mediated degradation of fatty acids requires  and FAD. Palmitic acid is indeed the precursor of stearic acid, as well as of many other fatty acids.

Statins function to decrease the activity of HMG-CoA reductase, an important enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway. This enzyme converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate. This step is the rate-limiting (and irreversible) step in this pathway. Statins inhibit this enzyme; therefore, statins prevent the production of mevalonate and cause an accumulation of HMG-CoA. The HMG-CoA can be converted into acetyl-CoA, which can now be used for many other processes.

HMG-CoA can be found in two locations: cytosol and mitochondria. In the cytosol, HMG-CoA participates in the production of cholesterol. In mitochondria, it participates in the production of ketone bodies. The question states that ketone bodies are produced; therefore, the researcher must be analyzing the mitochondria. Recall that mitochondria has two membranes: an inner and an outer membrane. Ribosomes in cytosol synthesize cytosolic proteins. The nucleus contains histones, which are proteins that facilitate packaging of DNA molecules. Degradative enzymes are found in organelles such as lysosomes and peroxisomes. These organelles clean the cell by removing unwanted cell debris.

Cholesterol is synthesized from acetyl-CoA. A cholesterol molecule contains 27 carbons and an acetyl-CoA molecule contains 2 carbons. Cholesterol is synthesized from a total of 18 acetyl-CoA molecules. These 18 molecules undergo reactions that yield a 30 carbon molecule and 6 carbon dioxide molecules (total of 36 carbons). The 30 carbon molecule loses 3 methyl groups and becomes the 27-carbon cholesterol molecule. Malonyl-CoA, acetoacetic acid, and pyruvate are not involved in this pathway.

The molecule which is repeatedly added to a growing fatty acid is malonyl-CoA. Malonyl-CoA is synthesized from acetyl-CoA (two carbons) and  (one carbon), and, thus, contains three carbons. Of course, it is important to remember that the  of malonyl-CoA leaves during the reaction with the acyl chain being synthesized. 

Adipocytes stock mainly fatty acids, not glycerol; glycerol produced during triacylglycerol degradation is shuttled through the blood to the liver. Lipase does not digest chylomicrons, but rather triacylglycerol, producing glycerol and fatty acids. The lipids (fatty acids) in fatty tissue mostly originate in our diet, not in our liver. Mammals specifically require certain polyunsaturated fatty acids which they are unable to synthesize, like linoleate; these are known as the essential fatty acids. Chylomicrons are proteins which carry triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and other lipids, obtained by the diet, away from the intestine. Chylomicrons are created in the endoplasmic reticulum of small intestine cells i.e., enterocytes and exoctyosed into lymphatic capillaries.

The proper order for fatty acid synthesis is condensation, reduction, dehydration, and reduction once again.  This creates an activated acyl group that has been lengthened by two carbons through this anabolic biosynthetic pathway.

The sources of glycerol-3 phosphate for triglyceride synthesis are glycerol in the liver, but not the adipose tissue (adipose tissue does not have glycerol kinase) and from the conversion of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (obtained in glycolysis) to glycerol-3 phosphatase in liver and adipose tissue. Triglycerides are one of the most important forms of storage of lipids in the body. 

Triglycerides are the major form of storing dietary lipids in the body.Triglycerides are composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol molecule. In glycerophospholipids the third fatty acid of a triglyceride particle is replaced by a phosphate group and a choline or inositol group. Choline groups are ammonium salt groups in neurotransmitters or phospholipids on cell membranes. Inositol groups are found in second messengers. Glycerophospholipids are part of the cellular membrane and are sources of second messengers such as diacylglycerol and inositol-3-phosphate. 

Cholesterol ester transfer protein's role in lipid metabolism involves transferring cholesterol esters or triglycerides between different types of lipoproteins in the blood. It is not part of the lipoprotein particle and is not a receptor but, rather, a protein in the blood. Cholesterol and triglycerides are carried in the blood by lipoproteins, which depending on the amount of protein contained are: chylomicrons, very low density proteins, low-density proteins, intermediate density lipoproteins and high density lipoproteins.