Cell Component
glycocalyx
Subclass of:
Cell Membrane Structures
Definitions related to glycocalyx:
  • (cell coat) Part of plasma membrane which consists of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides attached to proteins or lipids on the outer layer of the cell; forms the outermost layer of the plasma membrane.
    Foundational Model of Anatomy
    University of Washington, 2017
  • A carbohydrate rich layer at the outermost periphery of a cell.
    Gene Ontology Dictionary
    Gene Ontology Consortium, 2021
  • An extracellular coating of polymeric sugars or glycoproteins.
    NCI Thesaurus
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • 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)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
  • (cell capsule) Loose extracellullar layer of polysaccharide or protein surrounding many types of prokarotic cells.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.