Lipid Formation: Fatty Acids, Glycerol, and Sphingosine

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In lipid biochemistry, lipids can be formed from different components, specifically fatty acids, glycerol, and sphingosine. Triglycerides consist of three fatty acids bound to one glycerol molecule, representing a common form of fat in nature. In contrast, sphingolipids are formed when a fatty acid is esterified to sphingosine, often resulting in molecules classified as phospholipids. Therefore, lipids are not formed simultaneously from all three components but rather through distinct pathways involving either glycerol or sphingosine with fatty acids.
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Hello , I am studying lipids and a point got me confused . it is said that beside the fatty acid we have glycerol and sphingosine that forms the backbone of the lipid .
is the lipid formed by those 3 components at the same time (fatty acid +glycerol +sphingosine ) or it is formed by the fatty acid and either the glycerol or the sphingosine ?
 
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They are referring to a triglyceride. 3 fatty acids bound to one glycerol. Natural occurring fatty acids are usually found in this esterified state and are called fats.

Fatty acids in membranes are esterified (one normally) to sphingosine to form a sphingolipid. Some of these molecules are called phospholipids as well.
 

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