Final answer:
The glycocalyx is a short chain of carbohydrates found on the surface of glycoproteins or glycolipids which plays a key role in cell-to-cell recognition and interaction with the watery environment around the cell.
Step-by-step explanation:
A short chain of carbohydrates (sugars) that is projected from the external surface of glycoproteins or glycolipids is called the glycocalyx. These carbohydrate chains can consist of 2-60 monosaccharide units and their configuration may be either straight or branched. The glycocalyx plays an essential role in cell-to-cell recognition, acting as unique identifiers for cells, much like facial features do for humans. This recognition is critical for the immune system to differentiate between body cells ('self') and foreign cells ('non-self'). Furthermore, the glycocalyx is highly hydrophilic, thus it attracts water to the cell's surface, aiding in the cell's interaction with its aqueous environment and its ability to obtain dissolved substances.