Lipid Formation: Fatty Acids, Glycerol, and Sphingosine

[samy4408]

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 ?

 

[jim mcnamara]

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.