What are glycolipids?

Glycolipids are lipids (special type of fat molecules) that have a carbohydrate attached to them. They are important molecules in the cell membrane of the cells because they ensure its stability and also have a key role in cellular recognition, important for the immune system. It also allows cells to connect to one another to form tissues!

A carbohydrate molecule that has a lipid component attached to it

Glycolipids are molecules found on the surface of the cell membrane. Glyocoproteins are made of two parts : carbohydrates and and lipid molecules. Their functions are very diverse; they are involved in both cell signalling (eg they will bind to hormones and this will cause a change inside the cell) or they can play a role in cell adhesion (binding to other cells).