Cholesterol that is known as (LDL) stands for:

Prepare for the TEAS Nursing Entrance Exam with comprehensive flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to ensure you ace your test and start your nursing career.

Low-density lipoproteins, commonly known as LDL, are a type of cholesterol that plays a critical role in the body's lipid transport system. They are responsible for carrying cholesterol from the liver to the cells throughout the body. When there is an excess of LDL cholesterol, it can accumulate in the walls of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Understanding the term "low-density" refers to the structure of the lipoprotein particles, which are less dense than other types of lipoproteins. In contrast, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) carry cholesterol away from the cells back to the liver, where it is processed or excreted, promoting cardiovascular health.

The other options do not accurately define LDL; "lysosomes" refers to cellular organelles involved in digestion and waste processing, which is unrelated to the lipid transport function of LDL. Therefore, identifying LDL specifically as low-density lipoproteins is fundamental for understanding its role and implications in health and disease.

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