Final answer:
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol to tissues, potentially leading to plaque buildup, while High-density lipoproteins (HDL) remove cholesterol from tissues, reducing the risk of heart disease. LDL is known as 'bad cholesterol', and HDL as 'good cholesterol' based on their effects on cardiovascular health.
Step-by-step explanation:
While Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol to the tissues, including cells in the arterial walls that make atherosclerotic plaques, High-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport cholesterol away from tissues and to the liver, where it can be processed and recycled into other compounds. LDLs are sometimes referred to as "bad cholesterol" because if their levels are too high, they can lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries and subsequently increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. Conversely, HDLs are known as "good cholesterol" because they help to reduce the risk of heart disease by removing excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and arterial walls, transporting it back to the liver for metabolism.
Additionally, cholesterol and other lipids are transported within the body by lipoproteins, which are classified by their density. The more protein a lipoprotein contains relative to lipid, the higher its density. HDL has a higher protein-to-lipid ratio than LDL, which makes it denser and contributes to its beneficial role in cholesterol transport.