What term refers to carbohydrate-lipid complexes that are also good water binders?

What term refers to carbohydrate-lipid complexes that are also good water binders?

• A. Mucopolysaccharides
• B. Glycoproteins
• C. Phospholipids
• D. Steroids

Answer: (A)

These are the hydrophilic carbohydrate polymers found in the extracellular matrix, known as mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans). Their repeating sugar units often carry sulfate and carboxyl groups, which give them a strong negative charge. That charge attracts water and surrounding cations, so these molecules trap and hold large amounts of water, forming a gel-like, swelling matrix. This water-binding property is what helps tissues like cartilage resist compression and maintain elasticity. They commonly combine with proteins to form proteoglycans, expanding their water-attracting capacity even further. The other options don’t match this combination of being carbohydrate-rich and especially good at binding water. Glycoproteins are carbohydrate-modified proteins, not primarily water binders. Phospholipids and steroids are lipids and aren’t focused on water retention in the way mucopolysaccharides are.

These are the hydrophilic carbohydrate polymers found in the extracellular matrix, known as mucopolysaccharides (glycosaminoglycans). Their repeating sugar units often carry sulfate and carboxyl groups, which give them a strong negative charge. That charge attracts water and surrounding cations, so these molecules trap and hold large amounts of water, forming a gel-like, swelling matrix. This water-binding property is what helps tissues like cartilage resist compression and maintain elasticity. They commonly combine with proteins to form proteoglycans, expanding their water-attracting capacity even further.

The other options don’t match this combination of being carbohydrate-rich and especially good at binding water. Glycoproteins are carbohydrate-modified proteins, not primarily water binders. Phospholipids and steroids are lipids and aren’t focused on water retention in the way mucopolysaccharides are.