Transporting Fat: Lipoprotein Diversity
There are many types of lipoproteins. Most are named according to their density, which decreases as the size increases. They are made by different tissues, or by modifying another type of lipoprotein.
| Lipoprotein | Source | Size (nm) |
|---|---|---|
| Chylomicron | Small intestine |
75 to 1200 |
| Chylomicron remnant | Chylomicron |
30 to 80 |
| VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) | Liver |
30 to 80 |
| LDL (low-density lipoprotein) | VLDA |
18 to 25 |
| HDL (high-density lipoprotein) | Various sources |
5 to 12 |