Question

Which correctly lists the lipoproteins from the least to most dense?

A) HDL, VLDL, LDL
B) LDL, VLDL, HDL
C) VLDL, LDL, HDL
D) HDL, LDL, VLDL

Answer 1

The lipoproteins are listed from least to most dense as VLDL, LDL, HDL. The density of lipoproteins increases with higher protein content relative to lipids, thus making VLDL the least dense and HDL the most dense.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct order listing the lipoproteins from the least dense to the most dense is C) VLDL, LDL, HDL. This is because lipoproteins are classified based on their relative densities and lipid content, with a higher fat content corresponding to a lower density. As such, Very Low-Density Lipoproteins (VLDL) are the least dense, mainly transporting newly synthesized triglycerides from the liver. Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), often labelled as "bad cholesterol," are denser than VLDL as they have a higher protein-to-lipid ratio and carry cholesterol to tissues. The densest of the three are High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL), which have the highest protein content relative to lipids and transport cholesterol away from tissues to the liver for excretion or recycling, hence their moniker "good cholesterol." The density ranges from VLDL (0.96-1.006 g/cm³) to LDL (1.020-1.062 g/cm³) and finally HDL (1.063-1.210 g/cm³), where more protein and less lipid content result in higher density lipoproteins.