Glycocalyx of receptor cell membranes

Data are presented on the enzymes, glycosamines and glycolipidsof the premembranous calyx of the plasma membranes of photo-,chemo- and mechanoreceptor cells. Evidence that the glycocalyxcontributes to the morphogenesis of olfactory mucus and theotolithic membrane is summarized, as is evidence that it hasan auxiliary role in reception. It is hypothesized that theglycocalyx is involved in several steps in receptor processes.