[Link]. Cytology /Lec.9 [Link] H.
Cell Junctions
They are types of structures that attach the cells together. They consist
of protein complexes and provide contact between neighbouring cells or
between a cell and the extracellular matrix. They also build up the
paracellular barrier of epithelia and control the paracellular transport.
Epithelial cells are held together by cell junctions and modifications in the
lateral membranes, which can be classified into:
1. Interdigitations.
The adjacent lateral membranes show reciprocal tongues and grooves that
interdigitate with each other.
2. Adhesive material.
The membranes of adjacent cells are separated by intercellular space
containing glycoprotein substance which has adhesive effect.
3. Cell junctions. There are 3 types of intercellular junction connecting
between the adjacent cells :
a. Occludens type (tight junction)
b. Adherent type
c. Communicating type (gap or nexus type)
A)) Occludens type (Tight Junction)
It is a type of intercellular junctions. In which the
integral membrane junctional proteins of the adjacent
cells fuse together. Tight junctions connect the
plasma membranes of adjacent cells into sheets. It is
located usually close to the apico-lateral cell borders.
It closes the intercellular space, so it functions to
prevent:
1. The movement of membrane proteins between the
membranes of lateral and apical cell borders.
2. The movement of water soluble molecules between intercellular space
and the lumen.
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Types of tight junctions:
1. Zonula occludens can be seen in absorptive intestinal cells forming a
girdle at apico-lateral border
2. Fascia and macula occludens are found in between endothelial cells of
blood capillaries. They located between the gaps to permit fluid and cells
to pass between blood and tissue fluid.
B)) Adherent Junctions
The two adjacent cell membranes adhere together by
junctional proteins extending between cytoplasmic
plaques which attach to the cytoskeleton.
The cells are separated by about 0.2 μm space filled by
adhesive material. There is no direct contact between
adjacent cell membranes.
Types of adherens junctions:
a. Zonula Adherent
Located on the lateral borders of absorptive intestinal cells and encircle the
cells just below zonula occludens. The cytoplasmic plaques attach to the
cytoskeleton by actin filaments.
b. Desmosome (Macula Adherent)
Located between epithelial cells along the lateral borders of adjacent cells
and appear as small dark spots. Their cytoplasmic plaques and junctional
proteins attach to the cytoskeleton by intermediate filaments.
c. Fascia adherent
Found on cell membrane between the attached end-to-end cardiac muscle
fibers. They are apart from intercellular junctions that called intercalated
disks.
d. Hemidesmosome ( Half desmosome)
Connect between basal borders of the epithelial cells and
both, basement membrane and underlying Connective tissue.
C)) Communicating Junctions
They connect the adjacent cells together by narrow water filled channels.
They are also called nexus or gap junctions. Each is formed of 6 trans-
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membrane protein subunits called connexins and can close and open under
certain conditions.
They communicate between cardiac muscle fibers, smooth muscle fibers
and nerve cells and allow for rapid transport of ions, signals and small
molecules from one cell to the other .
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32. There are three types of intercellular junctions: ……………………, ………………………… and …………………………
33. Occludens type or tight junction is formed by ……………… of adjacent membrane – proteins. It closes
……………………….
34. Tight junction function to prevent movement of …………………….. from …………………… to ……………….. membrane.
35. Tight junctions between absorptive cells of gastroin-testinal tract (GIT) prevent the movement of mole-cules from
……………. into ………….. space.
36. Tight junctions occur in ……………… and ……………………
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37. In adherence junctions 2 adjacent membranes, junctional protein extending between ………………………
38. Adherence junctions are found in……………….. and ………………………
39. Communicating or gap junction is a water filled ………………formed of ………. subunits, and can close and
………………under certain conditions.
40. Gap junctions are found in…………………….. and ……………………
41. The function of gap junctions is the rapid transport of ………………………, ……………. . and ……………………
42. There are two types of adherence junctions: …………… ……… and …………………
43. Microvilli are ………………………………. over the free sur-face of absorptive cells.
44. Core of microvilli contain bundles of ……………………
45. Microvilli are called ………………………..in kidney tubules
and called striated border in……………………
46. Microvilli function to ……………………..the surface area for……………………
47. Stereocilia are long ………………….. non-motile and supported by core containing ……………………
48. Stereocilia are found in ………………… and ………………….
49. Stereocilia function to increase the …………………… ……………………….. and sensation.
50. The motile cilium is a long …………………………
51. The core of motile cilium consists of ………………………. microtubules.
52. The basal body of motile cilium is composed of …………………. Microtubules.
53. The motile cilia are found in …………………….. and they function to …………………………………
9. In which organ of the following does desmosome occur?
a. Free apical surface
b. Lateral border
c. Basal border
d. Apicolateral border
10. The following structures are found in the motile cili-um except:
a. Basal bodies
b. Shaft
c. Plasma membrane
d. Microfilaments
11. To which of the following does stereocilia refer?
a. Long microvilli
b. Long microtubules
c. Short cilia
d. Long flagella
12. In which of the following cells can the cilia be seen?
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a. Absorptive cells
b. Tracheal epithelium
c. Fat cell
d. Nerve cells
13. Stereocilia are found in:
a. Nerve cells
b. Muscle cells
c. Brain cells
d. Epididymis
14. Glands which release their product into the blood are called:
a. Apocrine glands
b. Merocrine glands
c. Exocrine glands
d. Endocrine glands
32. There are three types of intercellular junctions: ……………………, ………………………… and …………………………
33. Occludens type or tight junction is formed by ……………… of adjacent membrane – proteins. It closes
……………………….
34. Tight junction function to prevent movement of …………………….. from …………………… to ……………….. membrane.
35. Tight junctions between absorptive cells of gastroin-testinal tract (GIT) prevent the movement of mole-cules from
……………. into ………….. space.
36. Tight junctions occur in ……………… and ……………………
37. In adherence junctions 2 adjacent membranes, junctional protein extending between ………………………
38. Adherence junctions are found in……………….. and ………………………
39. Communicating or gap junction is a water filled ………………formed of ………. subunits, and can close and
………………under certain conditions.
40. Gap junctions are found in…………………….. and ……………………
41. The function of gap junctions is the rapid transport of ………………………, ……………. . and ……………………
42. There are two types of adherence junctions: …………… ……… and …………………
43. Microvilli are ………………………………. over the free sur-
44. Core of microvilli contain bundles of ……………………
45. Microvilli are called ………………………..in kidney tubules and called striated border in……………………
46. Microvilli function to ……………………..the surface area for……………………
47. Stereocilia are long ………………….. non-motile and supported by core containing ……………………
48. Stereocilia are found in ………………… and ………………….
49. Stereocilia function to increase the …………………… ……………………….. and sensation
9. In which organ of the following does desmosome occur?
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a. Free apical surface
b. Lateral border
c. Basal border
d. Apicolateral border
