Glycocalyx

The glycocalyx is a system of protein-linked and lipid-linked carbohydrates that span the plasma membrane of a eukaryotic cell, which have a number of important functions, for example It aids in protection, it gives the cell a slimey surface and aids movement. It helps with adhesion to carbohydrate binding proteins on the surface of other cells. The glycocalyx assists with cell-cell recognition, because of the complexity of the carbohydrate’s and the each cells glycosylation pattern. The glycocalyx can also bind and release growth factors.  The formation of the glycocalyx occurs by the movement of sugars within intracellular membrane-bound organelles to the plasma membrane via vesicles. 

Each cell type has its own, specific, glycosylation pattern. The glycosylation pattern depends on the membrane association proteins and the carbohydrate attached. Carbohydrates can be attached through the nitrogen in asparagine or the oxygen in serine and threonine. The carbohydrates that are attatched can form complex, very diverse branches. The diversity is the basis of interactions and coordination between cells, other cells and their environment.