What is the role of lipid metabolism in cells?

The role of lipid metabolism in cells includes the use of lipids as an energy source, the synthesis of lipids for structures such as cell membranes, as well as for signaling. Lipid catabolism serves to break lipids down. Triglycerides, which are one of the major forms of lipids, can be broken down into glycerol and fatty acids. Glycerol can be converted to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate to be used in glycolysis, whereas fatty acids are broken down in the process of beta-oxidation to produce acetyl CoA, NADH, and FADH₂. Acetyl CoA can then enter the citric acid cycle, and NADH and FADH₂ can be used in oxidative phosphorylation.