What is the meaning of gap junction?

Definition of gap junction : an area of contact between adjacent cells characterized by modification of the plasma membranes for intercellular communication or transfer of low molecular-weight substances.

What is a gap junction structure?

Gap junctions are plasma membrane spatial microdomains constructed of assemblies of channel proteins called connexins in vertebrates and innexins in invertebrates. The channels provide direct intercellular communication pathways allowing rapid exchange of ions and metabolites up to approximately 1 kD in size.

What is gap junction in cardiac muscle?

Gap junctions are membrane channels that mediate the cell-to-cell movement of ions and small metabolites. In the heart, gap junctions play an important role in impulse conduction. In the specialized conductive tissue of the heart, Cx45 is found in the atrioventricular node and adjoining His bundles.

Where are gap junctions commonly found?

Gap junctions are found in many places throughout the body. This includes epithelia, which are the coverings of body surfaces, as well as nerves, cardiac (heart) muscle, and smooth muscle (such as that of the intestines). Their primary role is to coordinate the activity of adjacent cells.

Where is gap junction found?

What is gap junction and tight junction?

In Summary: Cell Junctions Plasmodesmata are channels between adjacent plant cells, while gap junctions are channels between adjacent animal cells. However, their structures are quite different. A tight junction is a watertight seal between two adjacent cells, while a desmosome acts like a spot weld.

Where is the junction in the heart?

Atrioventricular (AV) junction is the area separating atria and the ventricles of the heart. [1] Specifically, when talking about the AV junction, the focus is put more on its contents, the AV node and the nonbranching bundle of His.

What are the advantages of gap junctions?

The fact that gap junction pores are large enough to allow molecules such as ATP and second messengers to diffuse intercellularly also permits electrical synapses to coordinate the intracellular signaling and metabolism of coupled neurons.

Where is gap junction located?

Location. Gap junctions are found in many places throughout the body. This includes epithelia, which are the coverings of body surfaces, as well as nerves, cardiac (heart) muscle, and smooth muscle (such as that of the intestines). Their primary role is to coordinate the activity of adjacent cells.

Why are gap junctions important in the heart?

What is the difference between tight junction and gap junction?

Difference between Gap Junction and Tight Junction. Tight junctions are found in specific area of epithelial cells while gap junctions are widespread in terms of distribution. These widespread junctions basically provides the cells with the ability to communicate. On the other hand, the tight junctions perform functions like sealing the intercellular space in epithelial and endothelial cell layers.

What is the function of the gap junction?

Gap junctions are a specialized intercellular connection between a multitude of animal cell-types. They directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules, ions and electrical impulses to directly pass through a regulated gate between cells.

What is a gap junction?

Function of Gap Junctions. The main function of gap junctions is to connect cells together so that molecules may pass from one cell to the other.

Why are gap junctions important?

Gap junctions are particularly important in cardiac muscle: the signal to contract is passed efficiently through gap junctions, allowing the heart muscle cells to contract in unison.