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Cholesterol. Molecular model of the sterol known as cholesterol (C27.H46.O). Sterols are a type of lipids, a class of biochemical compounds that includes fats. Cholesterol is an essential component of the cell membranes in mammals, and levels of cholesterol in the blood is an important health indicator. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (grey), hydrogen (white) and oxygen (red). (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/LAGUNA DESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)