Question

The function of the gap junction is to

• A. separate two cells from each other
• B. stop substance from leaking across a tissue
• C. performing cementing to keep neighbouring cells together
• D. facilitate communication between adjoining cells by connecting the cytoplasm for rapid transfer of ions, small molecules and some large molecules

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Most cells in animal tissues (with the exception of a few terminally differentiated cells such as skeletal muscle cells and blood cells) are in communication with their adjoining cells via gap junctions. At the place where gap junction is present, membranes of two adjacent cells are separated by a uniform narrow gap of about 2-4 nm. The gap is spanned by channel forming proteins called connexins, which allow inorganic'ions, and other small water soluble molecules to pass directly from cytoplasm of one cell to cytoplasm of other cell.