Identify each lipoprotein described here as either chylomicron, HDL, LDL, or VLDL.
a. Which lipoprotein has the lowest density? Why?

Question

Identify each lipoprotein described here as either chylomicron, HDL, LDL, or VLDL.

a. Which lipoprotein has the lowest density? Why?

Accepted Answer

Hi and welcome back. Our next problem says, classify the lipoprotein described below and explain your answer. And the description is the most dense lipoprotein. A kylo microns. It is the densest lipoprotein because it contains the highest percentage of lipids B Chylomicron, it is the densest lipoprotein because it contains the highest percentage of protein CHDL. It is the densest lipoprotein because it contains the highest percentage of lipids or DH DL. It is the densest lipoprotein because it contains the highest percentage of protein. Well, we actually have a shortcut to our answer or part way to our answer if we remember what the initials HDL stand for. So HDL stands for high density lipoproteins. So it's a pretty good guess that HDL is going to be the densest lipoprotein. And this indeed is the case. So we can rule out A AND B and focus on HDL. So what makes it high density? Is it a high percentage of lipids or a high percentage of protein? Well, if we recall that lipids are less dense than proteins, then we would know that our answer is choice DH DL, the densest lipoprotein because it contains the highest percentage of protein since proteins are more dense than lipids. So choice C is going to be incorrect and it says HJL is a denis because it contains the highest percentage of lipids. We also know that kylo microns which are not as dense must have a higher percentage of lipids. We can just touch briefly to be thorough. Since this is a practice problem, we have our answer but should be thorough and go through these. Our other two choices mentioned, Chylomicron and Chylomicron are at the other end of the scale, they have a very high percent of lipids and therefore have a very low density or to make it less confusing. I will say the lowest density recall that lipoproteins are these spherical structures made up of lipids and proteins. Their purpose is to transport lipids. So they transport liquids, excuse me, they transport lipids, but they're also made up of them. That's how they transport them. So it gets a little confusing because for instance, HDL is often called good cholesterol. Well, HDL transports cholesterol, but it's also made up of cholesterol. So it's a big ball of cholesterol and proteins that is being transported throughout the body. So we have our Chylomicron which are the lowest density of a high percent of lipids. And Chylomicron transport all the dietary lipids. So anything you ingest that has lipids, the Chylomicron will transport it from the intestines to the various tissues where it might be needed if energy is needed or to adipose tissue tissue to be stored. So that would be the lowest density of all Chylomicron are very large and that makes sense, larger size often goes with lower density. Our next up now it gets a little easier because we have these names reminds us is VLDL or very low density lipoprotein makes sense. Kylo microns are the lowest but then we have the very low and these VLDLS transport triglycerides or tri ayl glycerol. Then after a very low density, we have an LDL or low density lipoproteins makes sense. These are of moderate size, moderate density. This is also known as bad cholesterol. And again, we think, well, these are transporters of cholesterol but they transport by being made up of it. So it's not that the cholesterol is bad. It's that in its transport role. LDL brings cholesterol from the liver to out to the tissues when cholesterol is needed. So in the process of doing that, you can deposit the excess LDL in the arteries. That's obviously bad. That's the problem with LBL. Finally, we've got our HDL that we've mentioned high density lipoprotein. This also transports cholesterol. So when there's excess cholesterol circulating, the HTL transports that cholesterol from the tissues back to the liver. So this is sometimes noticed the good cholesterol because it takes excess cholesterol out of circulation. So our answer here for the most densely lipoprotein will be choice. DH DL, it will, it is the densest lipoprotein because it gets to need the highest percentage of protein in the next video.

Identify each lipoprotein described here as either chylomicron, HDL, LDL, or VLDL.
a. Which lipoprotein has the lowest density? Why?

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Lipoprotein Classification

Density of Lipoproteins

Role of Chylomicrons

Identify each lipoprotein described here as either chylomicron, HDL, LDL, or VLDL.a. Which lipoprotein has the lowest density? Why?

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

Key Concepts

Lipoprotein Classification

Density of Lipoproteins

Role of Chylomicrons

Identify each lipoprotein described here as either chylomicron, HDL, LDL, or VLDL.
a. Which lipoprotein has the lowest density? Why?