Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

Chylomicrons are primarily composed of triglycerides, which constitute the largest portion of their structure. These lipoproteins are synthesized in the intestinal mucosa after a meal rich in fats and serve the critical function of transporting dietary lipids, mainly triglycerides, from the intestines to other tissues in the body, including muscle and adipose tissue.

Triglycerides are the main storage form of fat in the body and are formed from glycerol and three fatty acid chains. In the case of chylomicrons, they are advantageous for transporting fats because they can aggregate large amounts of triglycerides while being soluble enough to travel through the aqueous environment of the bloodstream.

While chylomicrons do contain other components like proteins, phospholipids, and cholesterol, these make up a smaller proportion of their overall composition compared to triglycerides. The apolipoproteins present in chylomicrons help stabilize their structure and facilitate interaction with receptors on cells for uptake, but they do not constitute the main macromolecular component. Understanding that triglycerides are the predominant component helps clarify the role of chylomicrons in lipid transport following nutrient absorption.