Salivary mucins are which type of molecules?

Salivary mucins are which type of molecules?

• A. Carbohydrates
• B. Glycosylated proteins
• C. Nucleic acids
• D. Lipids

Answer: (B)

Salivary mucins are glycoproteins: large protein molecules with extensive carbohydrate chains attached to their peptide backbone. The sugar attachments (glycosylation) give mucins their high molecular weight and highly hydrated, gel-like properties, producing the lubrication and protective mucus layer in the mouth. So they are defined by being proteins that carry many carbohydrate groups, not plain carbohydrates, nucleic acids, or lipids.

Salivary mucins are glycoproteins: large protein molecules with extensive carbohydrate chains attached to their peptide backbone. The sugar attachments (glycosylation) give mucins their high molecular weight and highly hydrated, gel-like properties, producing the lubrication and protective mucus layer in the mouth. So they are defined by being proteins that carry many carbohydrate groups, not plain carbohydrates, nucleic acids, or lipids.