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What is ldl and hdl?
HDL (also known as high-density lipoproteins) are like scavengers that travel through the bloodstream, collecting stray molecules of cholesterol and bringing it back to the liver where it can be broken down into various substances. It is known as “good” cholesterol because it keeps the amount of cholesterol in the blood at a healthy level.
LDL (also known as low-density lipoproteins) carry cholesterol through the body, delivering it to various tissues and organs. It is known as “bad” cholesterol because in an imbalanced amount, LDL can build up in the bloodstream, and eventually become caught under the walls of vessels. This causes plaques (buildups of LDL) to form, clogging the arteries.
LDL (also known as low-density lipoproteins) carry cholesterol through the body, delivering it to various tissues and organs. It is known as “bad” cholesterol because in an imbalanced amount, LDL can build up in the bloodstream, and eventually become caught under the walls of vessels. This causes plaques (buildups of LDL) to form, clogging the arteries.
Structure of ldl and hdL:
The structures of HDL and LDL relate closely to their function. both HDL and LDL are made of a fatty core and a protein and phospholipid shell. The outer shell made of proteins is what allows cholesterol (a fatty substance) to travel through blood, which it would not be able to do otherwise. Although the two molecules are eimilar, they are not exactly the same structurally. LDL is a molecule made mainly of low density cholesterol and fats with a small amount of highly dense proteins. This low density allows it to remain in the blood vessels longer because it is not pushed along as quickly. If a blood vessel is torn, LDL gets under the surface, which causes plaques to form. HDL on the other hand, is mainly comprised of proteins, with a low percentage made up of cholesterol and fat. Its high density causes it to be pushed more quickly through the vessels, picking up spare cholesterol molecules along the way.