membrane carbohydrates and cell junctions

Question 1

where is membrane carbohydrate found on cell membrane

Answer 1

outer surface of membrane

Question 2

describe the different surfaces/molecules small carbohydrate chains can bind to and the names given to these molecules when the carbohydrate is bound

Answer 2

membrane proteins and lipids, glycoproteins and glycolipids respectively

Question 3

what is the name given to the layer made up of glycoproteins and glycoproteins

Answer 3

glycocalyx

Question 4

describe the main function of small carbohydrate molecules on the outer surface of the membrane

Answer 4

serve as self-identity markers that allow cells to interact with each other, different cell types have different markers, play a role in tissue growth make sure cells don’t grow out of their territory

Question 5

give the names of the 3 different types of specialised cell junctions

Answer 5

tight junctions, desmosomes and gap junctions

Question 6

describe a tight junction

Answer 6

they join the lateral edges of epithelial cells together, near their luminal membranes
they can be tight or leaky

Question 7

describe a desmosome

Answer 7

aka anchoring or adhesion junctions

they are adhesion junctions that anchor cells together, especially in tissues that are stretched(eg skin, heart, uterus)

Question 8

describe a gap junction

Answer 8

aka communicating junctions

allow the movement of small molecules and charge carrying ions in between adjacent cells