Cell-Cell Recognition

What are the components of the plasma membrane?

Glycoproteins and glycolipids.

How are glycoproteins formed?

Carbohydrates and polypeptides combine via covalent bonds.

What do oligosaccharides do in the plasma membrane?

They project outwards.

What is the carbohydrate attached to?

The protein in the membrane (glycoproteins) or to lipid (glycolipids)

What do interactions between the oligosaccharides and carbohydrate-binding proteins allow?

Cell-cell recognition.

What can happen to oligosaccharides?

They become linked binding the cells into a tissue

What does this allow cells to do?

Recognise foreign cells or infected body cells

What do red blood cells carry?

Different glycoproteins in their membranes

What do glycoproteins act as?

Antigens

What do the antigens allow?

Identification of cells

What determines an individual's blood type?

The glycoprotein antigens on the surface of their red blood cells.

What glycoprotein antigens do blood type A individuals have?

Type A

What glycoprotein antigens do blood type B individuals have?

Type B

What glycoprotein antigens do blood type AB individuals have?

Both types

What glycoprotein antigens do blood type O individuals have?

Neither types

Why is blood group O considered the universal donor?

They have no glycoproteins on their cells.

What antibodies does a person with blood group A produce?

Anti-B antibodies.

What antibodies does a person with blood group B produce?

Anti-A antibodies

What antibodies does a person with blood group AB produce?

Neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies

What antibodies does a person with blood group O produce?

Both anti-A and anti-B antibodies