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Plasma lipoproteins are spherical particles that contain varying amounts of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, and proteins. The phospholipid, free cholesterol and protein constitute the outer surface of the lipoprotein particle; the inner core contains mostly esterified cholesterol and triglycerides. These particles serve to solubilize and transport cholesterol and triglycerides in the bloodstream.
The relative proportions of protein and lipid determine the density of these plasma lipoproteins and provide a basis for their classification. The classes are: very low density lipoproteins
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