Final answer:
Glycosylation in the secretory pathway ensures proper protein folding, sorting of proteins to their destined locations, and contributes to the formation of glycoproteins that affect cell interactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of glycosylation in the secretory pathway is multifaceted and vital to proper cellular function. Firstly, glycosylation contributes to the proper folding and stability of proteins as they are synthesized and transported throughout the cell. Secondly, it is involved in sorting and targeting proteins to their correct destinations, whether that is within the cell such as lysosomes, the cell membrane, or for secretion outside of the cell. Lastly, glycosylation plays a role in the creation of glycoproteins by providing glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid necessary for their formation, which can affect protein functionality and interactions on the cell's exterior.