Connections between cells

Connections between cells

1. Animal cells

   • Occluding junctions
     • Cells come into contact with eachother
     • No movement of material between cells
   • Anchoring junctions
     • Most common between epithelial cells
     • Dense plaques of protein exist at the junction
       • Fine fibrils extend from each side of these plaques and into the cytosol of the two cells involved
   • Communicating junctions
     • Gap junctions
     • Protein lined pores in membranes of adjacent cells
     • Permit passage
       • Salt ions
       • Sugars
       • Amino acids
       • Small molecules
       • Electrical signals

2. Plant cells