Final answer:
Heparin is a mucopolysaccharide with a unique structure that makes it an effective anticoagulant. It binds to antithrombin and inhibits multiple coagulation factors to prevent blood clot formation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heparin is a widely used injectable anticoagulant that has unique characteristics in its structure. It is a mucopolysaccharide composed of repeating units of disaccharides called uronic acid and glucosamine. The uronic acid can be either glucuronic acid or iduronic acid, which gives heparin its negative charge.
The degree of sulfation on the glucosamine residues varies, resulting in different levels of anticoagulant activity. The structure of heparin allows it to bind to antithrombin, a plasma protein that inhibits blood clotting. This binding enhances the inhibitory effect of antithrombin on several coagulation factors, including factor Xa and thrombin.
Heparin also acts as a receptor on the cell surface and is involved in cell adhesion and cell-to-cell interactions. It is present on the surfaces of cells lining blood vessels and plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the vascular system.