Animal Cell Junctions

! No cell is an island! There is a critical need for communication between the cells of multi-
cellular organisms. Cells interact through secretory processes. Cell junctions are regions
where cells are physically side by side. Junctions permit cell communication. Junctions may
be described in the following manner:

Tight junctions function as seals between

two cell-lined compartments, preventing the
flow of fluids through the extracellular space..
Tight junctions are advantageous when
material critically needs to enter the cell
without leakage.

They are characterized by a complete lack of

intercellular space

Desmosomes are localized points of tight

adhesion between adjacent cells of a tissue.
The structures provide adhesion and enables
cells to function as a single unit. The binding
proteins consist mainly of keratin fibers.

The average intermembrane space is between

25-35 nanometers (nm).

Gap junctions possess some intercellular

space, thus enabling the movement of
material from cell to cell or into the
environment. Interestingly, cancer cells lack
gap junctions, disabling the cells from
communication.

The average intermembrane space is 2-3

nanometers (nm).

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