Cholesterol Flashcards
What is cholesterol?
A type of lipid
What is the function of cholesterol?
Stabilises the structure of cell membranes
Needed to make hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone.
What makes cholesterol?
Saturated lipids are used in the liver to make cholesterol.
What are lipoproteins?
Since cholesterol is insoluble in water it combines with a protein so it can be transported in the blood. It is transported as a lipoprotein.
How many types of lipoprotein are their?
2 - HDL and LDL
What is HDL?
High density lipoprotein (it is good)
What is LDL?
Low density lipoprotein (it is bad)
Characteristics of HDL -
- mainly protein
- transport cholesterol from blood into liver
- reduces blood cholesterol if too high
- removed plaques formed in atherosclerosis
Characteristics of LDL -
- mainly lipid
- transports cholesterol from liver to the blood
- increases blood cholesterol if too low
- deposits cholesterol in artery walls forming atheroma
What does a high ratio of HDL to LDL do?
reduces the risk of CVD
What does a high ratio of LDL to HDL do?
increases the risk of CVD
How do saturated fats affect HDL and LDL?
They increase HDL and LDL - but they increase LDL levels more than HDL. Therefore, saturated fats increase the LDL to HDL ratio which increases the risk of CVD.
How do unsaturated fats affect HDL and LDL?
They decrease with HDL and LDL - but they decrease LDL more than HDL. Therefore, unsaturated fats increase the HDL to LDL ratio which decreases the risk of CVD
