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glycocalyx |
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glycocalyx /gly·co·cal·yx/ (gli″ko-kal´iks) the glycoprotein-polysaccharide covering that surrounds many cells.
glycocalyx the glycoprotein-polysaccharide covering that surrounds many cells.
mucin Glycoprotein, rich in carbohydrates, produced by the goblet cells and the subsurface vesicles of the conjunctiva which forms the basis of the mucous layer of the precorneal film. Mucin and the secreted glycocalyx (which consists of glycoproteins) are adsorbed by the epithelium of the cornea to convert it from a hydrophobic into a wettable hydrophilic surface. A deficiency in the production of mucin leads to an abnormally short precorneal film break-up time and to desiccation of the ocular surface. In addition, the mucous layer prevents microbial invasion of the cornea. In some contact lens wearers (especially of silicone hydrogel lenses) collapsed mucin, as well as lipids and tear proteins, accumulate behind the lens and form small, discrete spheres (called mucin balls or mucin plugs). These mucin balls cause neither discomfort nor loss of vision. See precorneal film; keratoconjunctivitis sicca; break-up time test; xerophthalmia. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Organisms within the polysaccharide are relatively resistant because a glycocalyx slime layer produced by bacterial colonies may be impermeable to antibiotics or it may physically alter an antibiotic and render it biologically inactive. 2] exposure is associated with remodeling of the luminal epithelial cell layer, including the formation of secretory epithelial cells and a glycocalyx layer consisting of glycoproteins (Paria et al. This glycocalyx is anionic (negative) in charge (Fig. |
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