Glycoproteins and glycolipids

Question 1

What are the functions of glycolipids?

Answer 1

where phospholipid molecules have a carbohydrate part attached to them, they are called glycolipids

they are antigens

lipids attached to carbohydrate chains

detected by the immune system as self or belonging to another organism

Question 2

What are the structure of glycoproteins?

Answer 2

intrinsic proteins embedded in the membrane

attached carbohydrate chains of varying lengths and shapes

Question 3

What is the function of glycoproteins?

Answer 3

cell adhesion - forms tight junctions in certain tissues

receptors for chemical signals

trigger transport proteins

attach to water molecules to stabalise membrane

receptor for hormones or drugs

Question 4

What is cell signalling?

Answer 4

when a chemical binds to the glycoprotein receptors it may cause a direct response or a cascade of events inside the cell

Question 5

How does neurotransmitter or hormones affect receptors? (include examples)

Answer 5

receptors for acetylcholine at nerve cell synapses. triggers or inhibits a impulse at the next synapse when something binds to it

binding of the neurotransmitters triggers or prevents an impulse in the next neurone

receptors for peptide hormones, including insulin and glucagon, affect the uptake and storage of glucose by cells

Question 6

What is the affect of beta blockers and how do they work?

Answer 6

beta blockers block adrenaline recptors on heart cells

this prevents adrenaline from binding there

used to prevent heart attacks and treat hypertension