What are the purposes of cell junctions?
Hold cells together
Communication between cells
Movement of water and solutes (osmotic regulation)
What are gap junctions formed from and what is their purpose?
Connexon cylinder of 6 connexin proteins
Used for chemical communication
What are adherents junctions?
Actin to actin linkage of the cells by cadherins or integrins
What are desmosome junctions?
Keratin to keratin bonding of cells by cadherin
What are hemidesmosome junctions?
The cytoskeletons of the cells are joined by integrins within the extracellular matrix
What are tight junctions purpose? (No details on structure)
Regulate the movement of water and its solutes by lining the outer surfaces of organs and blood cells
Allow for a tight control of water movement (or loose)
What are the effects of many or fewer tight junctions?
Few= “leakier” epithelia —more movement allowed
More = a tighter epithelia that controls the movement of water more
