Notes: Cell to Cell Recognition

Carbos and Cell to Cell Recognition
  1. membrane carbo oligosaccharides are usually fewer than 15 sugar units.
  2. some are bonded to lipids (glycolipid)
    some are bonded to proteins (glycoproteins)
    but it varies between species, individuals, and cells
  3. this diversity allows them to functin as ID markers
    eg. A, B, AB, O blood groups reflect mariation in oligosaccharides on RBCs' surfaces
  4. the membrane is a great example of SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURE (many molecues ordered into a higher level of organization with emergent properties)
  5. The FMM (fluid mosaic model)

Next:  "Cellular Transport."