chylomicron

(noun)

A microscopic globule of triglycerids and other lipids coated with proteins, found in blood and lymphatic vessels, that is associated with the digestion of fats.

Related Terms

Examples of chylomicron in the following topics:

  • Regulation of Blood Cholesterol Levels

    • Chylomicrons, the least dense type of cholesterol transport molecules, contain apolipoprotein B-48, apolipoprotein C, and apolipoprotein E in their shells.
    • Chylomicrons are the transporters that carry fats from the intestine to muscle and other tissues that need fatty acids for energy or fat production.
    • Cholesterol that is not used by muscles remains in more cholesterol-rich chylomicron remnants, which are taken up from here to the bloodstream by the liver.

  • Digestion and Absorption

    • These large spheres are called chylomicrons.
    • Chylomicrons contain triglycerides, cholesterol, and other lipids; they have proteins on their surface.
    • Together, they enable the chylomicron to move in an aqueous environment without exposing the lipids to water.
    • Chylomicrons leave the absorptive cells via exocytosis, entering the lymphatic vessels.

  • Functions of the Lymphatic System

    • During fat digestion, many fatty acids are digested, emulsified, and converted within intestinal cells into a lipoprotein called chylomicrons.
    • Lymph drainage vessels that line the intestine are called lacteals, and absorb the chylomicrons into lymph fluid.
    • The lymph vessels then take the chylomicrons into blood circulation where they react with HDL cholesterols and are then broken down in the liver.

  • Absorptive State

    • Chylomicrons are lipoprotein particles that consist of triglycerides (85-92%), phospholipids (6-12%), cholesterol (1-3%) and proteins (1-2%).