What are glycoproteins?

Glycoproteins are indeed proteins that have carbohydrate chains attached to them. This glycosylation process involves the covalent bonding of carbohydrates to the amino acid side chains of proteins, which can occur in various types of sugars. The presence of these carbohydrate moieties plays crucial roles in a variety of biological functions, including cell-cell recognition, immune response, and forming extracellular matrices.

The carbohydrates can also significantly influence the protein's structure, stability, and localization within the body, as well as mediate interactions with other biomolecules. In many cases, the specific composition of the attached sugars can confer functional diversity to proteins, making glycoproteins essential for many physiological processes.

Understanding the role and structure of glycoproteins is fundamental in biochemistry, as they are involved in processes like signaling, immune responses, and cellular communication. Their presence can also be critical for the proper functioning of certain enzymes and receptors, illustrating their diverse applications in biological systems.