Gap Junction: Difference between revisions
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A '''gap junction '''is a specialised | A '''gap junction '''is a specialised channel that connects adjacent cells to allow direct communication with each other. '''Gap junction''' allows [[Ions|ions]], [[Metabolite|metabolites]] such as [[Amino acids|amino acids]] and water soluable molecules but not [[Macromolecules|macromolecules]] like [[Proteins|proteins]] to pass through the channel due to the narrow nature of the channel. The molecules that are able to manoeuvre through the channel plays a significant role in intracellular communication. The key feature of a '''gap junction''' is that it enables direct cell to cell communication without having signalling molecules to travel to extracellular space or to other [[Organelles|organelles]]. Another key feature that sets '''gap junction''' from the other cell signalling is, gap junction allows communication to flow in both directions between the adjacent cells. The main purpose of this bi-directional communication is to normalise the conditions between communicating cells. In addition, the bi-directional communication can assist in spreading the message between the cells caused by any extracellular signals, therefore the cells is able to ellicit a response and coordinate their actions rapidly.<ref>Alberts, B. Johnson, A. Lewis, J. Raff, M. Roberts. K, Walter.. (2008). Mechanisms of Cell Communication. In: Anderson, M. and Granum, S. Molecular Biology of The Cell. 5th ed. United States of America: Garland Science, Taylor &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Francis Group, LLC, an informa business. 884.</ref><ref>Berg, J. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, L.. (2007). Membrane Channels and Pumps. In: Ahr, K. Moran, S. Baker, A. Tymoczko, N. Goldman, D. Moscatelli, B. Hadler, G. Zimmerman, P. Biochemistry. 6th ed. United States of America: W.H. Freeman and Company. 374.</ref> | ||
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Revision as of 22:24, 16 November 2011
A gap junction is a specialised channel that connects adjacent cells to allow direct communication with each other. Gap junction allows ions, metabolites such as amino acids and water soluable molecules but not macromolecules like proteins to pass through the channel due to the narrow nature of the channel. The molecules that are able to manoeuvre through the channel plays a significant role in intracellular communication. The key feature of a gap junction is that it enables direct cell to cell communication without having signalling molecules to travel to extracellular space or to other organelles. Another key feature that sets gap junction from the other cell signalling is, gap junction allows communication to flow in both directions between the adjacent cells. The main purpose of this bi-directional communication is to normalise the conditions between communicating cells. In addition, the bi-directional communication can assist in spreading the message between the cells caused by any extracellular signals, therefore the cells is able to ellicit a response and coordinate their actions rapidly.[1][2]
References
- ↑ Alberts, B. Johnson, A. Lewis, J. Raff, M. Roberts. K, Walter.. (2008). Mechanisms of Cell Communication. In: Anderson, M. and Granum, S. Molecular Biology of The Cell. 5th ed. United States of America: Garland Science, Taylor &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Francis Group, LLC, an informa business. 884.
- ↑ Berg, J. Tymoczko, L. Stryer, L.. (2007). Membrane Channels and Pumps. In: Ahr, K. Moran, S. Baker, A. Tymoczko, N. Goldman, D. Moscatelli, B. Hadler, G. Zimmerman, P. Biochemistry. 6th ed. United States of America: W.H. Freeman and Company. 374.