What occurs during the process of glycosylation?

The process of glycosylation specifically involves the addition of carbohydrate molecules, or sugars, to proteins or lipids, which plays a crucial role in various biological functions. This modification occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus within cells.

Glycosylation can affect the folding, stability, distribution, and function of proteins and is essential for cell recognition processes, protein sorting, and immune response. For instance, glycoproteins, which are proteins that have sugar chains attached to them, are vital components of the cell membrane and play key roles in cell signaling and communication.

Understanding this process is vital in various biological contexts, such as in the study of diseases, where alterations in glycosylation patterns can be indicative of specific medical conditions, including cancer.