Lipids are a diverse group of hydrophobic organic molecules, which include fats, oils, sterols, and waxes. Fatty acids are integral building blocks of lipids, and can be classified as unsaturated or saturated based on the presence/absence of carbon-carbon double bonds within their nonpolar chains. Eicosanoids are a family of cell-signaling molecules with important physiologic properties derived from the fatty acid, arachadonic acid. In addition, combining fatty acids with different bases, including glycerol, phosphate, and shingosine, results in different lipids with varied functions within the human body. Glycerolipids (triacylglycerols) are important for energy storage and thermal insulation. Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are essential constituents of cellular plasma membranes. Another group of lipids is based off of isoprenoids, which are the building blocks of sterols (such as cholesterol). Altered levels of lipids (both an overabundance or deficiency) can result in many potential disease processes.