Which lipoprotein has protein greater than cholesterol as its major component?

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

Answer: (D)

Lipoproteins differ in how much protein versus lipid they carry, and the particle with the highest protein content relative to lipids is the densest one. HDL is the smallest and most dense lipoprotein and contains a large amount of apolipoproteins (like apoA-I) that form the protein shell of the particle. This makes protein the major component of HDL. The other lipoproteins are richer in lipids: chylomicrons and VLDL carry lots of triglycerides, and LDL is mainly cholesterol esters. So, protein exceeds cholesterol as the major component in HDL.