glikokalixist

Glikokalixist is a term that refers to an organism or biological entity that utilizes or is characterized by the presence of a glycocalyx. The glycocalyx itself is a gel-like layer external to the cell wall of many bacteria, archaea, and animal cells. It is composed primarily of polysaccharides and glycoproteins.

In bacteria, the glycocalyx can take two forms: a slime layer, which is loosely attached and water-soluble, or a capsule, which is more tightly bound and organized. The glycocalyx plays crucial roles in bacterial adhesion to surfaces, protection from phagocytosis by immune cells, and resistance to desiccation. It can also be involved in the formation of biofilms, complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced matrix.

In animal cells, the glycocalyx is found on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. It is formed by carbohydrate portions of membrane proteins and lipids and is involved in cell recognition, cell-to-cell adhesion, and protection from mechanical and chemical damage. The specific composition and function of the glycocalyx vary significantly between different cell types and organisms. Therefore, a "glikokalixist" could be a bacterium with a capsule, an animal cell, or any other biological entity where this external carbohydrate-rich layer is a prominent feature. The study of the glycocalyx and the organisms possessing it falls under various fields of biology, including microbiology, cell biology, and immunology.