Question

Is there a difference in function between glycoprotein and glycolipid?

Answer 1

Yes. Some overlap - both molecules are used in recognition - but basically different:

Glycolipids are energy storage molecules and the glyco groups function in cellular recognition processes. Glyco groups on proteins are tags which help in trafficking proteins to appropriate subcellular regions, and they also function in cellular recognition.

Answer 2

so is basically cell recognition?
or is it like glycoprotein recognize protein and glycolipid recognize lipids?

Answer 3

No.

In general, glycolipids and glycoproteins both function in cell-cell recognition processes - but they operate through different recognition pathways.

And that is their only similarity. The glycolipids also function in energy storeage (glycoproteins do not) while glycoproteins (or rather the carbohydrate moiety attached to each protein) basically tag the protein for transport to different parts the cell.

So there is some general functional overlap between the two, but their differences are more significant than their similarities.

Answer 4

oh ok, actually one more question
so say if glycolipid is not functioning, so will the movement of molecule significally affected??

The energy storage is not important right?

Answer 5

The energy storege is very important.

In general, the glyco groups are only important for movement (the correct word is trafficking) of proteins inside the cell.

Although the glyco groups on the lipids in the cellular membrane (and membrane-bound vesicles inside the cell) probably do affect that lipid's diffusion in the plane of the membrane and its association with other molecules in the membrane, especially membrane bound proteins.

Answer 6

oh, so glyco- does the movement work, and lipid does the storage work??

Isnt vesicles also store substances too? Do they store different things?

Sorry i juz have too many questions when i study ==

Answer 7

Let's take it from the top:

Glycolipids are energy storage molecules. Additionally, those glyco groups on the lipids which make up cellular membranes function in recognition. Mostly that recognition functions in vesicle trafficking pathways inside the cell, not in recognition between different cells.

Glycoproteins are NOT energy storage molecules. Protiens are transiently tagged with glyco moieties which are like tickets in intracellular protein trafficking pathways. Some membrane proteins are also tagged with bigger, bulkier glyco moieties which funciton in cell-cell recognition pathways.

Is that clear?

Answer 8

yea, much clear :DD ty blues again

Answer 9

You're welcome!