Chapter 4: Cell Junctions – Flashcards

contact points between plasma membranes of adjacent cells within a tissue

- when 2 cell membranes are held together so tightly that nothing can leak - proteins in cell membrane form strand that adheres them tightly - ex) in stomach, bladder, intestines

- inside of plasma membrane of each adjacent cell is thick protein (plaque) - plaque from inside of one cell is adhered to plaque inside other cell - transmembrane glycoproteins (cadherins) join cells - adhered to one another so they don't separate when pulled

- plaque attached to plaque with intermediate filaments going from plaque on one cell to plaque on another cell - creates additional strength for cells with pulling forces - ex) in cardiac muscle

- half of a desmosome - found in attaching epithelial cells to basement membrane (lowerst level of cells in a tissue - connect to this)

- have proteins (connexons) that connect adjacent cell membranes with channel going through them so electrolytes, etc can flow through them - also allow for communication and sharing of materials - with tissues that are electrically excitable