Some of the lipid groups appear similar, but changing a few components significantly alters their biological properties. identify the similarities and differences between glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid structures.

Both glycerophospholipids and sphingolipid structures are asymmetrically distributed in the two layers of the phospholipid bilayer. Sphingolipids are membrane lipids that have a ceramide backbone while glycerophospholipid has glycerol present in its membrane lipids. Sphingolipids may or may not be present.