The autotrophs use the energy stored within the simple carbohydrates to produce the more complex organic compounds, such as proteins, lipids, and starches, that maintain the organisms’ life processes The autotrophic segment of the ecosystem is commonly referred to as the producer level. Cholesterol may be the most intensely studied small molecule of biological origin. These compounds include carbohydrates, protein, and lipids Other organic nutrients include the vitamins, which are required in small amounts, because of either the catalytic role or the regulatory role they play in metabolism. The lipids of nutritional importance are triglycerides (fats and oils), phospholipids (e.g., lecithin), and sterols (e.g., cholesterol)
Choline has several important functions It is a constituent of an important class of lipids (fats) called phospholipids (e.g., lecithin), which form structural elements of cell membranes It is also a component of acetylcholine, which is important in nerve function. What is the role of lipids in the cell membrane Excess consumption of fats is an important cause of dyslipidemia (an elevated level of lipids in the blood) and of cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis Saturated fats can raise levels of “bad” (ldl) cholesterol and lower “good” (hdl) cholesterol levels.
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