Question

Do carbohydrates only bind to the extracellular space? If so, please elborate as to why that occurs.

Answer 1

Answer is No.

Explanation:-

• Cell membranes are selective barriers that separate individual cells and cellular compartments.
• Membranes are assemblies of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids held together by binding forces.
• Carbohydrates are covalently linked to proteins (glycoproteins) or lipids (glycolipids) and also an important part of cell membranes, and function as adhesion and address loci for cells.
• The Fluid Mosaic Model describes membranes as a fluid lipid bilayer with floating proteins and carbohydrates.
• Membrane carbohydrates are chemically bound to glycolipids and glycoproteins.
• However, some membrane carbohydrates are part of proteoglycans that insert their amino acid chain among the lipid fatty acids.
• Although some carbohydrates can be found associated with intracellular membranes, most of them are located in the outer monolayer of the plasma membrane, facing the extracellular space.