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lipoprotein
lipoprotein , any organic compound that is composed of both protein and the various fatty substances classed as lipids , including fatty acids and steroids such as cholesterol . The lipoprotein complex of proteins and steroids is usually provided by a weak, noncovalent interaction; proteins complexed with some other lipids do so by the information of covalent chemical bonds. There are several types of lipoproteins present in human blood, including low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)—molecules with a larger molecular weight and a relatively low percentage of protein—and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)—molecules with a smaller molecular weight and a relatively high percentage of protein. LDLs are the main transport for cholesterol through the body. HDLs appear to carry excess cholesterol to the liver for processing. Studies have found that high levels of HDLs, which seem to retard or even reverse the formation of cholesterol plaque in the arteries (see arteriosclerosis ), reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cell membranes are essentially lipoprotein in nature; the membrane is a continuous sheet of lipid molecules, largely phospholipids , in close association with proteins that either face one side of the membrane or penetrate all the way through the membrane. |
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"lipoprotein." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lipoprotein." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-lipoprot.html "lipoprotein." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-lipoprot.html |
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Lipoproteins
LIPOPROTEINSLipoproteins are particles in the bloodstream that transport fatty substances called lipids between different organs, glands, and tissues. The interior of the lipoprotein contains triglycerides (glycerol esterified with three fatty acids) and cholesterol esterified with fatty acids. The covering membrane of a lipoprotein contains chemicals more easily soluble in blood than those in the interior, such as free cholesterol, phospholipids (e.g., lecithin), and apoproteins. Since the different lipoproteins contain different amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol, they may be separated by centrifuging them into particles with different densities, including low-density (LDL), high-density (HDL), and very low-density (VLDL) particles. Apoproteins (such as apo A in HDL particles and apo B in VLDL and LDL particles) function to direct the lipoproteins to their destinations or to act as coenzymes to activate certain other enzymes that process the lipoproteins. Donald A. Smith (see also: Atherosclerosis; Blood Lipids; Cholesterol Test; HDL Cholesterol; Hyperlipidemia; LDL Cholesterol; Triglycerides; VLDL Cholesterol ) |
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Smith, Donald A.. "Lipoproteins." Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Smith, Donald A.. "Lipoproteins." Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404000506.html Smith, Donald A.. "Lipoproteins." Encyclopedia of Public Health. 2002. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404000506.html |
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lipoprotein
lipoprotein One of a group of compounds consisting of a lipid combined with a protein. Lipoproteins are the main structural materials of the membranes of cells and cell organelles. They also occur in blood and lymph, being the form in which lipids are transported in these media. Cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream mainly in the form of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and is removed by means of LDL receptors in cell membranes; the LDLs are bound to the receptors, which are then taken into the cells. Lack of LDL receptors, occurring as a genetic defect in some individuals, is believed to be a cause of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, predisposing to atherosclerosis. Very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) are formed in the liver and are the precursors of LDLs, while high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), the smallest of all lipoproteins, transport cholesterol from tissues to the liver. See also chylomicron.
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"lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-lipoprotein.html "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-lipoprotein.html |
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lipoprotein
lipoprotein (lip-oh-proh-teen) n. one of a group of compounds, found in blood plasma and lymph, each consisting of a protein (see apolipoprotein) combined with a lipid (cholesterol, a triglyceride, or a phospholipid). Lipoproteins are important for the transport of lipids in the blood and lymph. high-density l. (HDL) a type of lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the tissues to the liver. low-density l. (LDL) a type of lipoprotein that is the main form in which cholesterol is transported in the bloodstream, from which it is taken into the cells by binding with LDL receptors. very low-density l. (VLDL) a type of lipoprotein that is the precursor of LDL.
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"lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-lipoprotein.html "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-lipoprotein.html |
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lipoprotein
lip·o·pro·tein / ˌlipəˈprōˌtēn; ˌlī-/ • n. Biochem. any of a group of soluble proteins that combine with and transport fat or other lipids in the blood plasma. |
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"lipoprotein." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "lipoprotein." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lipoprotein.html "lipoprotein." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-lipoprotein.html |
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lipoprotein
lipoprotein A water-soluble, conjugated protein in which the prosthetic group is a lipid. Lipoproteins transport lipids in the blood and lymph from the small intestine to the liver and from the liver to fat deposits.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-lipoprotein.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-lipoprotein.html |
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lipoprotein
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-lipoprotein.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "lipoprotein." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-lipoprotein.html |
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lipoproteins
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DAVID A. BENDER. "lipoproteins." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "lipoproteins." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-lipoproteins.html DAVID A. BENDER. "lipoproteins." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-lipoproteins.html |
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