Which protein helps cells recognize one another by attaching carbohydrate tags?

Study for the Principles of Biology Exam 2. Enhance your understanding with multiple-choice questions, detailed explanations, and study tips. Ace your biology test!

Multiple Choice

Which protein helps cells recognize one another by attaching carbohydrate tags?

Explanation:
Cell-cell recognition relies on membrane proteins that display carbohydrate tags as identifiers. These tags are oligosaccharides attached to proteins or lipids on the cell surface, forming the glycocalyx. When neighboring cells or the immune system read these carbohydrate patterns, they can recognize self from non-self and mediate adhesion and communication essential for tissue organization. This is why cell-recognition proteins best fit the function. In contrast, channel proteins form pores to allow ions to cross, receptor proteins bind extracellular signals to trigger internal responses, and enzymatic proteins speed up chemical reactions.

Cell-cell recognition relies on membrane proteins that display carbohydrate tags as identifiers. These tags are oligosaccharides attached to proteins or lipids on the cell surface, forming the glycocalyx. When neighboring cells or the immune system read these carbohydrate patterns, they can recognize self from non-self and mediate adhesion and communication essential for tissue organization. This is why cell-recognition proteins best fit the function. In contrast, channel proteins form pores to allow ions to cross, receptor proteins bind extracellular signals to trigger internal responses, and enzymatic proteins speed up chemical reactions.

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