Anatomy

Glycocalyx

The carbohydrate-rich zone on the cell surface. This zone can be visualized by a variety of stains as well as by its affinity for lectins. Although most of the carbohydrate is attached to intrinsic plasma membrane molecules, the glycocalyx usually also contains both glycoproteins and proteoglycans that have been secreted into the extracellular space and then adsorbed onto the cell surface. (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3d ed, p502)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The carbohydrate-rich zone on the cell surface. This zone can be visualized by a variety of stains as well as by its affinity for lectins. Although most of the carbohydrate is attached to intrinsic plasma membrane molecules, the glycocalyx usually also contains both glycoproteins and proteoglycans that have been secreted into the extracellular space and then adsorbed onto the cell surface. (Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3d ed, p502)

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Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Cell Coat
  • Glycocalix
  • Cell Coats
  • Coat, Cell
  • Coats, Cell

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

15 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

a carbohydrate-rich zone on cell surface

MeSH Record

History Note

97; was GLYCOCALYX (NM) 1976-96

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Glycoproteins (1976-1996)
  • Polysaccharides (1976-1996)

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AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Glycocalyx. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D019276. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D019276
  2. Glycocalyx. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycocalyx
  3. Glycocalyx. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q898356