[The biosynthesis of carbohydrate chains of glycoproteins and their heterogeneity].

Current state of research on the mechanism of biosynthesis of carbohydrate chains of N- and O-glycoproteins is reviewed. Functional predetermination of a multistage mechanism of the carbohydrate components' biosynthesis in N-glycosylproteins is suggested. Origin and character of heterogeneity of the carbohydrate chains in these biopolymers are discussed.