What happens to remaining fatty acids in VLDL after lipoprotein lipase hydrolysis?

• A. Excreted in urine
• B. Stored in adipose tissue
• C. Returned to tissues or adipose cells
• D. Converted to glucose

Answer: (C)

Lipoprotein lipase acts on triglycerides in VLDL, hydrolyzing them to free fatty acids and glycerol that spill into the capillary blood. The fatty acids are then taken up by nearby tissues—skeletal muscle for energy or adipose tissue for storage as triglycerides. The VLDL particle loses TG and becomes a remnant (IDL, then LDL) as it delivers these fats. Fatty acids aren’t excreted in urine and aren’t converted to glucose; fatty acids themselves can’t be used to make glucose in humans. So the remaining fatty acids are delivered to tissues or stored in adipose tissue.