Cell Junctions and their
Functions
By Jennifer Romero and Endy Hernandez
Cell Junctions
-Intercellular bridges
located between the cells
of animals
-2 major types
Gap Junction
-Made of 6 proteins called
connexons
-Connect the cytoplasm of
adjacent animal cells
-Permit free passage of
molecules
Plasmodesmata
• Fine strands of cytoplasm
• Connects cytoplasm of cell wall
to that of its neighbors
• Extension of plasma
membrane
• Proteins regulate permeability
• Communication and
transportation
• Primary pit fields
Tight Junctions
-Belts of protein that close
extracellular space
-Prevent particles from
going through the
opening of 2 adjacent
cells
Gap and Tight Junctions
Side to Side
Desmosomes
• Holds cells together
• Attached to filaments of keratin in cytoplasm
• Contains calcium molecules
• Aid in electro-chemical
communication between adjoining
cells
• Common in epithelia
Summary
Gap Junctions
Plasmodesmata
Tight Junctions
Desmosomes
Works Cited
• kimball, J. "Junctions between cells." users.rcn.com. N.p., 17 feb
2011. Web. 16 Sep 2013.
<http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/J/Junctions.
html>.
• Hannahs, Greg. "Plasmosdesmata." biology.kenyon.edu. N.p., n.d.
Web. 16 Sep 2013.
<http://biology.kenyon.edu/edwards/project/greg/pd.htm>.
• Whitmer, Phil. "What Are Cell Junctions?." ehow. N.p.. Web. 16 Sep
2013. <http://www.ehow.com/info_8093238_cell-junctions.html>.
• “Junctions Between Cells Simplified.” About Dbriers.com N.p. Web.
16 September 2013.
http://www.dbriers.com/tutorials/2012/12/junctions-between-cellssimplified/