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Cell Junctions pdf

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12 views

Cell Junctions pdf

Lecture

Uploaded by

Saheed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CELL JUNCTIONS

By Dr B I Madawaki.

(Lecturer 2, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical


Sciences, Baze University Abuja).
Cell Junctions.

Cell Junctions, otherwise referred to as Membrane Junctions are the connections that exist between
neighboring cells, i.e. cell to cell junctions, or between cells and the extracellular matrix, i.e. cell to
matrix junctions.

Some of these junctions that do not allow exchange of substances between the cells are called
Occluding Junctions. Those that allow the exchange of materials are called Communicating
junctions. Others perform a special function of anchoring the cells to one another or to the matrix,
called Anchoring junctions.

Tight Junction;

The Tight Junction, otherwise known as Zona Occludens Is a type of Intercellular Occluding Junction,
that prevents the exchange of large molecules across the cell membrane. This junction provides firm
attachment between adjacent/neighboring cells. Hence it is the type of cell junction found at the
Apical/Top parts of the cells forming the epithelial or endothelial lining of organs like the Intestines,
and capillary wall.

Gap Junction;

Gap Junctions otherwise known as Nexus, are intercellular junctions that allow exchange of
substances like ions across the cell membrane. They are found in cells of the heart muscle and basal
aspect of epithelial cells of the intestine.

Chemical Synapse;

The Chemical synapse is an intercellular communicating Junction between two nerve fibers, or
between a nerve fiber and a Muscle fiber. Through this junction, signals are transmitted through
release of Chemical/Neuro-transmitters like Acetylcholine.

Adherens Junction;

The Adherens Junction otherwise known as Zonula Adherens is an intercellular Anchoring junction
established through the connection of Actin Filaments of one cell, to those of the other cell. It is
found in the Epithelium just below Tight Junctions.

This is the type Cell junction found forming the Intercalated Disks of the Cardiac Muscle branches.
Transmembrane Proteins called Cadherins hold the cell membranes of adjacent cells together in this
type of Cell Junction.

Hemidesmosome;

This is a Cell to Matrix junction of the Anchoring type. It connects Intermediate Filaments of the cell
to the extracellular Matrix. This type of Junction is found in the basal lamina of epithelial tissues
where cells are anchored to Basal lamina. The Proteins involved in the formation of
Hemidesmosomes are called Integrins.

The Desmosomes are Cell to Cell Anchoring junctions formed by Integrins.

Figure 1 below shows the Cell Junctions.


Figure 1

Functions Cell Junctions;


• Provide structural support for the Cells through cell to cell or cell to matrix attachments,
• Determine the selective permeability of the cell membrane, for example in the formation of
the Blood-Brain Barrier, or the propagation of Action potential.

Reference;
• Essentials of Medical Physiology by K Sembulingham.

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