= Glycolipid
A <glycolipid> combines a carbohydrate-containing head group with a <lipid> component. Glycosidic linkages connect the sugar portion to the <lipid> framework; glycerol-based examples coexist with broader biochemical classes having other backbones.<IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, fifth edition (Gold Book)>[Glycolipids, entry G02653: glycerol-based definition and bacterial exceptions]{ref}
In a membrane, the hydrophobic part associates with the <lipid> interior while the sugar portion can remain exposed to <water>. The structure therefore couples membrane organization with molecular recognition at the surface. A <glycolipid> is not simply a solution containing separate sugar and fat <molecules>.
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