L24 Cell-Cell Junctions

Question 1

What are Adherens junctions?

Answer 1

They are protein complexes which play a crucial role on cell to cell adhesion and tissue organisation.

Question 2

Name an adherent junction protein?

Answer 2

Cadherins.

Question 3

What type of adhesion does cadherins do?

Answer 3

Ca2+ dependent adhesion.

Question 4

What are the features of adherens junctions?

Answer 4

1. Homophilic interaction.
2. Makes strong links between cells.
3. Links to actin cytoskeleton.

Question 5

What are the actin linked junctions?

Answer 5

Adherens junction and focal adhesion.

Question 6

What is the adhesion belt in morphogenesis?

Answer 6

Cadherin - Catenin - Actin - Myosin.

Question 7

What does focal adhesion and adherens junction link to?

Answer 7

They link to the actin cytoskeleton.

Question 8

What are desmosomes and hemidesmosomes?

Answer 8

They both are important cell junction which contributes to cell integrity and structure, where desmosomes form cell to cell junctions and hemidesmosome form cell to extracellular matrix junctions.

Question 9

What are tight junctions?

Answer 9

They are specialized regions of contact between endothelial and epithelial cells forming a semi permeable barrier.