Good cholesterol delivers cholesterol to the liver to make bile. Which lipoprotein does this describe?

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

Answer: (A)

HDL is involved in reverse cholesterol transport, picking up cholesterol from tissues and delivering it back to the liver. Once in the liver, that cholesterol can be converted into bile acids, a major route for disposing of cholesterol. That disposal role is why HDL is called the "good" cholesterol.

Other lipoproteins serve different primary tasks: LDL mainly delivers cholesterol to cells, not to the liver for bile production; VLDL carries triglycerides from the liver to tissues and can become LDL after releasing those triglycerides; chylomicrons carry dietary fats from the intestine to tissues and leave behind remnants for the liver to clear.