Final answer:
Glycans and lipids are encoded in the genome through processes such as glycosylation and lipid modification. Specific enzymes catalyze the addition of sugar molecules to proteins or lipids, forming glycoproteins or glycolipids. These molecules have important functions in cell-cell recognition and signaling.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glycans and lipids are encoded in the genome through various processes such as glycosylation and lipid modification. Glycans, also known as carbohydrates, are attached to proteins or lipids to form glycoproteins or glycolipids. This attachment is performed by specific enzymes that catalyze the addition of sugar molecules to the core structure of the protein or lipid.
Lipids, on the other hand, are modified in the Golgi apparatus by adding carbohydrate components to them, resulting in the formation of glycolipids. These glycolipids and glycoproteins are then inserted into the plasma membrane, where they play important roles in cell-cell recognition and signaling.