they are tubular junctions/channels- located between cells’ cytoplasm- allow nutrients and other molecules to move through themEXAMPLE: heart muscle cells
how do gap junctions connect cells?
The tubular junctions/channels that are located between cells’ cytoplasm are called gap junctions. Gap junctions are specialized intercellular connections that form channels between adjacent cells. These channels allow the exchange of small molecules and nutrients, such as ions, sugars, amino acids, and nucleotides between the cells. Gap junctions are composed of connexin proteins that span the plasma membrane of adjacent cells and form a narrow pore through which small molecules can pass.
In the heart muscle cells, gap junctions play an important role in coordinating the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart. The heart is made up of millions of individual muscle cells that need to contract in a coordinated manner to pump blood efficiently. Gap junctions allow the electrical signal that triggers contraction to spread quickly from one cell to the next, ensuring that all the cells contract together. Without gap junctions, the heart muscle cells would not be able to synchronize their activity and the heart would not function properly.
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