Lipid

Lipids refer to a group of water-insoluble compounds found in the tissue of plants and animals. This group of compounds is classified as:

• Fats
• Phospholipids
• Sphingomyelins
• Waxes
• Sterols

The main functions of lipids are energy storage, mobilization, and utilization. Other functions of lipids are synthesis of prostaglandin and cytokine, cell differentiation and growth, cell membrane structure, signal transmission, hormone synthesis, and bile acid synthesis.