Question

Glycocalyx is
A. Glycoproteins and glycolipids
B. Oligosaccharide part of glycolipids and glycoproteins
C. Lipid and protein parts of glycolipids and glycoproteins
D. Mucopolysaccharides attached to the cell wall.

Answer 1

Hint: The glycocalyx is a glycoprotein and glycolipid layer. And that covered the cell membranes of bacteria, epithelia, and other cells. It is also known as the pericellular matrix. Martinez-Palomo, in the year \[1970\], discovered the cell coating in animal cells known as the glycocalyx. The body uses glycocalyx as an identifier to distinguish between its own healthy cells and transplanted tissues, the diseased cells, or any invading organisms.

Complete answer:
Option A. Glycoproteins and glycolipids: Proteins containing glycans attached to amino acid side chains are called glycoproteins. Lipids with a carbohydrate attached by a glycosidic or covalent bond are called glycolipids. Both glycoproteins and glycolipids form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules surrounding the cell and thus help in stabilizing the membrane structure.
Hence option A is not correct.
Option B. Oligosaccharide part of glycolipids and glycoproteins: The Glycocalyx is a carbohydrate enriched coating of glycoprotein and a glycolipid which covers the cell membranes of a few bacteria, epithelial cells and other cells. The Glycocalyx is also commonly known as cell coat and acts as an adhesive agent between cells.
Hence option B is the correct answer.
Option C. Lipid and protein part of glycolipids and glycoproteins: Carbohydrate groups that are present only on the outer surface of the plasma membrane and are attached to proteins which form glycoproteins, or lipids that form glycolipids. The lipid and protein part of glycolipids and glycoproteins are not glycocalyx.
Hence option C is not correct.
Option D. Mucopolysaccharides attached to cell wall: long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body, are known as mucopolysaccharides and are often found in mucus and in fluid around the joints. They are commonly known as glycosaminoglycans.
Hence option D is not correct.

Hence, Option B. The Oligosaccharide part of glycolipids and glycoproteins is the correct answer.

Note:
Cell adhesion molecules are included in glycocalyx that enable cells to adhere to each other and guide the movement of cells during their embryonic development. Glycocalyx plays a major role in the regulation of endothelial vascular tissue which includes the modulation of red blood cell volume in capillaries. An example of glycocalyx is the slime layer on the outside of a fish.