2.13 Glycoproteins & glycolipids

Cell recognition (both)

Carbohydrate chains act as markers, allowing cells to recognise one another

Cell-surface markers (both)

Carbohydrate chains help identify the type or identity of a cell.

Antigens (both)

Carbohydrate structures associated with either molecule can contribute to antigens recognised by the immune system.

Receptors (Mainly glycoproteins)

Receptors bind specific molecules, such as hormones, to trigger a cellular response

Cell signalling (Mainly glycoproteins)

Receptor glycoproteins bind signalling molecules and help initiate a response inside the cell.

Cell adhesion (both can contribute)

Cell-surface carbohydrates can help cells interact and adhere to other cells or molecules.

Immune recognition (Both)

Cell-surface carbohydrate structures help the immune system distinguish between cells and recognise certain foreign markers.