Unit 3.4 Intercellular junctions

Question 1

What are the three intercellular junctions between animals cells?

Answer 1

Anchoring junctions, tight junctions, gap junctions

Question 2

What are the function and structures of anchoring junctions

Answer 2

Function - Mechanically keep cells attached
Structure - proteins and intermediate filaments
- desmosomes (junctions between cells)
- adheren junctions (junctions between cells
and connective tissue)

Question 3

What are the function and structures of tight junctions

Answer 3

Function - Prevent passage of fluid between cells
- Prevent membrane proteins from moving
Structure - rows of proteins that bind cells together

Question 4

Give examples of tight junctions

Answer 4

intestinal epithelial cells
blood-testes barrier
prevent water loss between skin cells

Question 5

What are the function and structures of gap junctions

Answer 5

Function - Allow passage between cells of ions and small molecules
Structure - Tunnels of proteins connecting cytoplasm of adjacent cell

Question 6

How are called the junctions between plant cells

Answer 6

Plasmodesmata

Question 7

What are the function and structures of plasmodesmata

Answer 7

Function - lateral transport of water and solutes

Structure - channels through cell walls of adjacent cells