Which membrane component has carbohydrate tails that act as markers for cell recognition?

Which membrane component has carbohydrate tails that act as markers for cell recognition?

• A. Glycolipids
• B. Glycoproteins
• C. Proteins
• D. Nucleic acids

Answer: (B)

Carbohydrate chains attached to proteins on the cell membrane form glycoproteins, and these carbohydrate tails project outward to act as identification tags for cell recognition. The sugars attached to the protein create specific patterns that other cells or immune cells read to distinguish self from non-self and to mediate cell–cell interactions. While glycolipids also carry carbohydrate groups, the feature described as a marker for recognition that is attached to a protein in the membrane is best captured by glycoproteins.

Carbohydrate chains attached to proteins on the cell membrane form glycoproteins, and these carbohydrate tails project outward to act as identification tags for cell recognition. The sugars attached to the protein create specific patterns that other cells or immune cells read to distinguish self from non-self and to mediate cell–cell interactions. While glycolipids also carry carbohydrate groups, the feature described as a marker for recognition that is attached to a protein in the membrane is best captured by glycoproteins.