Title: Week 3 - Unit 1_4: Cellular Juction
Course: Biochemistry

Introduction

The relationship between the cell and its environment is controlled by specialized macromolecules complexes that bind cells together to form tissues and organs. The plasma membrane of mammalian cells has specialized junctional complexes that allow cells to bind to neighboring cells or to the extracellular matrix, which provides a structural framework for the association of cells.

Expectations

In multi-cellular organisms, cells are organized into tissues. In this unit, we will examine some of the most important methods by which cells communicate between them: the cell junctions that link cells together.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to

- Define cellular junction
- Describe the characteristics of gap junctions, tight junctions and adherens junctions