Lipids are a broad group of organic compounds that includes fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, and others. They are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar solvents and contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sometimes nitrogen or phosphorus. Lipids serve as a food source and include fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and other compounds important to plant and animal metabolism. Fatty acids are the main constituents of lipids and can be saturated or unsaturated, affecting their melting points.