Cholesterol Flashcards
(14 cards)
What does HDL stand for?
High density lipoproteins
What is cholesterol?
- can’t be transported in blood
- lipid
- insoluble
What do HDL’s do?
Transport unsaturated fats. These are the ‘good’ cholesterol
What does LDL stand for?
Low density lipoproteins
What do LDL’s do?
Transport saturated fats. These are the ‘bad’ cholesterol
Where are LDL and HDL made?
The liver
How are LDLs formed?
Triglycerides from saturated fats in our diet combine with cholesterol and protein
Where are LDLs found?
They circulate in the bloodstream and bind to receptor sites on cell membranes
What do excess LDLs do?
Over load cell membrane receptors, resulting in high blood cholesterol levels
How do saturated affect the LDLs?
They may reduce the activity of the LDL receptors meaning they can’t be removed, increasing blood cholesterol levels. The excess can be deposited in the artery walls
What do HDLs have a higher percentage of than LDLs?
Proteins, hence the higher density
How are HDLs formed?
When triglycerides from unsaturated fats combine with cholesterol and proteins
What do HDLs do?
Transport cholesterol from the body tissues to the liver where it is broken down. This lowers cholesterol levels and helps remove the fatty plaques of atherosclerosis.
Why is cholesterol needed?
Cholesterol is needed to make cell membranes fluid and sec hormones etc
