Glycolipids

• Glycolipids are lipids found in the surface membrane of the cell.
• It has a sugar group attached to it.
• The sugar groups are added during modification of the lipid molecules while in the golgi apparatus.
• Functions:

1. The glycoproteins can help protect the cell when in harsh conditions e.g. high pH.
2. They play a major part in cell recognition e.g. cell adhesion.
3. However they may also provide an entry point into the cell for damaging bacterial toxins e.g. they act as cell surface receptors for the toxin that causes diarrhea during cholera.