Scribd
Upload
170 views

Cell Junctions

This document discusses cell junctions, which are specialized structures that connect adjacent cells. It defines cell junctions and identifies the main types: tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions, and hemidesmosomes. It describes the structure and function of each junction type, noting that they form binding sites between cells, control paracellular transport, and provide cell-cell communication. The document emphasizes that cell junctions are important for maintaining tissue integrity in epithelia and other cell types.

Uploaded by

hussham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
170 views

Cell Junctions

This document discusses cell junctions, which are specialized structures that connect adjacent cells. It defines cell junctions and identifies the main types: tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions, and hemidesmosomes. It describes the structure and function of each junction type, noting that they form binding sites between cells, control paracellular transport, and provide cell-cell communication. The document emphasizes that cell junctions are important for maintaining tissue integrity in epithelia and other cell types.

Uploaded by

hussham
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPSX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 27

CELL JUNCTIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lecture students should be able
to:
Define cell junction
Identify the junctions along the lataral and
basal surfaces of cells
Discuss the structure and functions of the five
main types of cell junction
Recognize various sites of their distribution
Enlist the components of junctional complex
INTERCELLULAR JUNCTIONS
Cells are kept together by a mutual force of
cohesion or attraction
In addition the cells shows several
specializations (i.e. specially arranged
connections)
these specialized structures are known as
intercellular junctions.
Present in apposed surfaces of epithelial cells
Also present in other body cells such as
cardiac & smooth muscle cells
FUNCTIONS
INTERCELLULAR JUNCTIONS
1. They form sites of binding between the adjacent
cells.
2. They permit the epithelia to form a continuous
cohesive layer in which all the cells communicate
and cooperate to achieve a particular function
3. They act as seals to prevent the flow of materials
through the intercellular space (paracellular
pathway).
4. They provide communication between the adjacent
cells.
Epithelium
Epithelium is a tissue
composed of cells,
tightly-bound to each
other, with no
intercellular
connective tissue.
There are
specializations of the
cell membranes that
play roles in
maintaining the
integrity of the tissue.
INTERCELLULAR JUNCTIONS
NOMENCLATURE
Two factors are taken in account for describing
the cell junctions.
A. Shape & Extent of the contact area.
1. Macula. (contact area is limited to a circular spot).
2. Zonula. (contact
area is more than a spot, may be
entire cell like a belt or girdle).
B. Relatively closeness & nature of the cell contact.
1. Occludens.
(Intercellular space is obliterated).
2. Adherens. (Intercellular space is about
20 - 25 nm). 3. Gap
TYPES OF INTERCELLULAR
JUNCTIONS
1. Zonula occludens (Tight junction).
2. Zonula adherens (Belt desmosome)
3. Macula adherens (Desmosome).
4. Gap junction (Nexus).
ZONULA OCCLUDENS
(Tight Junctions)
Most apical location.
Plasma-membranes of the
adjacent cells are fused, so
no intercellular gap.
Principal function: To
form a more or less tight
seal, sealing the
intercellular space from
luminal environment
Found: b/w the epithelial
cells, lining the intestinal
mucosa.
Facia occludens

Discontinuous
strips of tight
junction
Found between
endothelial lining
of blood vessels
Adhering junctions
Provide anchorage site
for cytoskeleton
May be in the form of
Belt----zonula
adherens or belt
desmosome
Spot or patch----
macula adherens or
desmosome
ZONULA ADHERENS
Intercellular gap is about
20 nm.
Noteworthy feature:
insertion of numerous
actin filaments into the
Dense or Attachment
plaques, lying on the
cytoplasmic surfaces of
the junctional membranes.
Function: form sites of
binding b/w the adjacent
cells.
Found: among epithelial
cells, fibroblasts, smooth
muscle cells, etc
MACULA ADHERENS(Desmosome)
Small discoid (disk-shaped)
structures, located at various
levels.
Cell-membranes are very
straight in this region.
Intercellular gap is normal
(about 25 nm), contains a
dense numerous fine
transverse filaments called
Transmembrane linkers.
Function: form binding
sites b/w the adjacent cells.
Found: among most
epithelial cells.
GAP JUNCTIONS (Nexus)
Intercellular gap is narrow
(about 2 4 nm).
Protienaceous tubes
called connexon that
connect adjacent cells.
These tubes allow
material to pass from one
cell to the next without
having to pass through
the plasma membranes of
the cells.
Function:
Provide communication
between the adjacent cells.
Dissolved substances such
as ions or glucose can
pass through the gap
junctions.
Large organelles such as
mitochondria connot pass.
Found: Widely distributed.
In skin, cardiac & smooth
muscles, liver, kidney,
thyroid, bladder, adrenals,
pancreas, also in nervous
system.
Smooth muscle
HEMIDESMOSOMES
Sometime observed in
the contact zone b/w
basal surfaces of the
certain epithelial cells
and the basal lamina.
Morphologically these
structures take the shape
of half desmosome on the
epithelial cell membrane
only.
Function: They serve to
bind the epithelial cells
to the subjacent basal
lamina.
JUNCTIONAL COMPLEX
JUNCTIONAL COMPLEX

Three in one: The


EM of an intestinal
epithelium reveals
a tight junction
(arrows 1 to 2),
adherens junction
(arrows 2 to 3),
and desmosomes
(arrows 4 to 5).
JUNCTIONAL COMPLEX
CARDIAC MUSCLE
THANK YOU

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy