Final answer:
Glycolipids and glycoproteins are abundant in the plasma membrane, crucial for cell recognition and interaction with the environment, forming part of the glycocalyx for diverse cellular functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glycolipids and glycoproteins are especially abundant in the plasma membrane. These molecules are imperative for functions such as cell recognition and interaction with the cell's environment. Glycoproteins are composed of proteins with chains of carbohydrates that project out of the cell, while glycolipids have carbohydrates directly attached to a lipid in the membrane.
The presence of glycolipids and glycoproteins on the plasma membrane plays a vital role in recognizing 'self' versus 'non-self' which is crucial for the immune system. Furthermore, these components contribute to the formation of the glycocalyx, a 'sugar coating' that is hydrophilic and plays a role in cell-cell attachment, embryonic development, and in attracting water to the cell surface aiding in interaction with the watery environment.