Glycocalyx en haar Functies

The glycocalyx is a 10 to 100 nanometer thick mesh-like layer on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. It comprises membrane-associated carbohydrates or glycans such as glycoproteins, proteoglycans, and glycolipids.  

The glycans trap water to form a viscous gel that acts as a molecular sieve, allowing smaller molecules to pass while restricting larger ones.

The glycocalyx plays different roles in cell-cell interactions, like cell recognition, adhesion, and signaling.

Carbohydrate receptors in the glycocalyx, such as lectins, can recognize specific glycan chains on the adjacent cell surface, allowing cell-cell adhesion.

During cell signaling, the proteoglycans and glycoproteins act as receptors for chemical messengers and activate the intracellular signaling cascade.

In humans, the glycocalyx has specific roles in certain cell types. For instance, in blood vessels, it protects the endothelial cell lining from the shear stress of the blood flow.