Glycoproteins

• Glycoproteins consist of carbohydrate chains attached to many extrinsic proteins on the outer surface of the cell membrane.
• Glycoproteins act as cell-surface receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters.
• Glycoproteins have many different functions in the cell-surface membrane. For example, they act as recognition sites, help cells to attach to one another (forming tissues) and allow cells to recognise each other (e.g. lymphocytes being able to distinguish 'self' from 'non-self' cells).