Which lipoprotein has endogenous triglycerides as its major component?

• A. Chylomicrons
• B. VLDL
• C. LDL
• D. HDL

Answer: (B)

The key idea is distinguishing where the triglycerides come from and which lipoprotein is designed to transport the liver’s own (endogenous) triglycerides. The liver packages triglycerides it synthesizes into a lipoprotein that is rich in triglycerides and ships them to peripheral tissues. This lipoprotein is produced by the liver and serves to deliver hepatic triglycerides to adipose and muscle; as it circulates, enzymes remove triglycerides, converting it step by step into IDL and then LDL. So its defining feature is carrying endogenous triglycerides as its major lipid, making it the lipoprotein built for exporting hepatic triglycerides. In contrast, chylomicrons carry triglycerides absorbed from the diet (exogenous), and LDL and HDL have lipid compositions where cholesterol esters are more prominent and triglycerides are not the major component.