Lipid chemistry and metabolism explores the structure, properties, and biochemical transformations of lipids, a diverse class of molecules including fats, waxes, and steroids. It examines how the chemical nature of lipids, particularly their predominantly hydrophobic character, dictates their vital biological roles in energy storage, cell membrane architecture, and intercellular signaling. The metabolic component of this field investigates the intricate anabolic and catabolic pathways that govern lipid synthesis (lipogenesis), storage, and breakdown for energy production (beta-oxidation), providing a molecular foundation for understanding nutrition, cellular biology, and metabolic diseases like atherosclerosis.