Definition
noun, plural: chylomicrons
Any of the lipoprotein particles found in blood and lymph that is associated with the transport of dietary lipids from the small intestine to various tissues such as liver, adipose, cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue during digestion of fat.
Supplement
Chylomicron is one of the five major groups of lipoproteins (the other four are VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL). They are synthesized in the small intestine and carried via the intestinal lacteals by way of the lymphatic system to various tissues of the body such as liver, adipose, cardiac and skeletal muscle tissue. In these tissues their triglyceride components are released through the activity of lipoprotein lipase. The chylomicron remnants are cleared by the liver by receptor-mediated endocytosis.
Word origin: chyl(e) + Greek mīkron, small thing, from neuter of mīkros, small.
Compare: vldl, idl, ldl, hdl
See also: lipoprotein
Dictionary > Chylomicron
You will also like...
Freshwater Ecology
Freshwater ecology focuses on the relations of aquatic organisms to their freshwater habitats. There are two forms of co..
Running Water Freshwater Communities
This tutorial introduces flowing water communities, which bring new and dithering factors into the equation for possible..
The Human Nervous System
The nervous system is essentially a biological information highway. This tutorial gives an overview of the nervous syste..
Origins of Life on Earth
Earth was created around 4.5 billion years ago and life began not long after. Primitive life likely possessed the elemen..
Growth and Development of a Human Baby
Upon fertilization, a zygote forms and develops into an embryo. This tutorial elaborates on the growth and development f..
Leaves
Leaves are the major photosynthetic organ of a plant. Apart from that, they are also crucial to water movement. In this ..