LDL particles are rich in cholesterol and deliver cholesterol to tissues; they are strongly associated with arterial plaque formation. Which statement best describes them?

• A. Deliver cholesterol to tissues and are associated with plaque formation
• B. Carry triglycerides from the liver to tissues
• C. Remove cholesterol from arteries
• D. Generated in the pancreas

Answer: (A)

LDL carries cholesterol to tissues, and when present in high amounts it contributes to plaque formation in arteries. This happens because LDL particles can infiltrate the arterial wall, become oxidized, and are taken up by macrophages to form foam cells, leading to fatty streaks and eventually atherosclerotic plaques. Hence, LDL’s defining role is delivering cholesterol to tissues and its strong association with plaque development.

For context, transporting triglycerides from the liver to tissues is mainly the job of VLDL, not LDL. Removing cholesterol from arteries is HDL’s function (reverse cholesterol transport). LDL is produced by the liver, not “generated in the pancreas.”