Question

Define:

a) Tight Junction

b) Adherens Junction

c) Desmosome

d) Gap Junction

e) Hemidesmosome

Answer 1

Define:

a) Tight Junction: tight junctions are also referred to as the junctions or the which are present in the junctional complex or the zonula which are junctional complexes that would be preventing the leakage of the molecules. These would also be serving in the form of leaky pathways as there would formation of selective channels.

b) Adherens Junction: these are also referred to as the cell junctions the cytoplasmic face of which would be linked to the cytoskeleton of actin. These would be appearing in the form of bands present around the zonula adherens or in the form of attachment spots to the extracellular matrix.

c) Desmosome: these are also referred to as the macula adhaerens that are cell structures which carry out the act of cell to cell adhesion. These are junctional complexes in the form of localised adhesions, which are spot like, which would be arranged randomly on the plasma membranes lateral side.

d) Gap Junction: these are also referred to as the macula communicans which would be found near the nerves or near an electrical synapse. These are present between many cell types. These carry out direct connections of the cytoplasm of different cells, because of which different ions or molecules or the electrical impulses would be passing through the cells.

e) Hemidesmosome: these are smaller structures that would be found around the keratinocytes and would be attaching with the extracellular matrix. These would be seen in the epithelial cells such that the basal epithelial cells would be connecting to the laminate Lucinda.