Question

Question:Describe the overall structure of lipoproteins. What distinguishes the different types?

Short answer

Answer

Lipoproteins are composed of a central hydrophobic core and an amphipathic region around it. They can be classified into five types based on protein and lipid composition.

Step-by-step solution

Structure of lipoprotein

Lipoproteins have a hydrophobic core in which the central core consists of non-polar lipids (cholesterol, ester). The central core is surrounded by an amphipathic membrane (phospholipids, apolipoproteins

Different types of lipoprotein

Lipoproteins include 5 types based on protein and lipid composition. They are high-density lipoproteins (HDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL),and chylomicrons.

High-density lipoproteins (HDL): 33% protein, 29% phospholipid, and 8% lipid

low-density lipoproteins (LDL): 25% protein, 21% phospholipid, and 4% triacylglycerol

very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL): 50% triacylglycerol, 18% phospholipid, and 10% protein

Chylomicrons: 84% triacylglycerol, 7% phospholipid, and 2% protein

Intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL): 31% triacylglycerol, 22% phospholipid, and 18% protein.