Glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins can serve as cellular

Glycoconjugates, such as glycoproteins, can serve as cellular recognition sites through the carbohydrate portion of the molecule. To perform this function, the oligosaccharide moiety must have the potential to exist in a large variety of forms. When considering the overall structure of the glycoprotein – which region would you expect to produce a greater variety of structures: oligopeptides composed of five different amino acids or oligosaccharides composed of five different monosaccharide residues? Explain and be specific

Solution

Answer :- As for as diversity of glycoproteins is concerned the maximum variety of structures are produced by oligosaccharides composed of five different monosaccharide residues than oligopeptides composed of five different amino acids because different sugars can act as different antigens on cell surface giving diversity of function and structure.