Glycoproteins and Glycolipids

Glycosylation: the process of process by which carbohydrate chains are attached to phospholipid or membrane proteins

Results in a glycolipid or a glycoprotein

The carbohydrate chains are located on the extracellular side of the membrane and play important roles in cell adhesion and cell recognition

Cell Adhesion

Glycoprotein (desmosome): types of glycoprotein that adhere skin cells to each other, keeping the cells tightly connected

Creates a tight physical barrier which serves as a primary defence against pathogens that cause infectious disease

Cell Recognition

Glycolipid (blood type proteins): the ABO blood group antigens on the surface of red blood cells are a type of glycolipid