MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Functionally, gap junctions in animal cells are a lot like plasmodesmata in plant cells: they are channels between neighboring cells that allow for the transport of ions, water, and other substances 3. Structurally, however, gap junctions and plasmodesmata are quite different.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gap junctions are involved in cellular communication-not just in epithelial tissue, but in other tissue types as well. Gap junctions are specialized connections that form a narrow pore between adjacent cells. These pores permit small molecules and ions to move from one cell to another.

Detailed explanation-3: -Communicating (gap) junctions Communicating junctions, or gap junctions allow for direct chemical communication between adjacent cellular cytoplasm through diffusion without contact with the extracellular fluid.

Detailed explanation-4: -In animals, two main general structures that enable short-and long-range intercellular communication are known, namely gap junctions and tunneling nanotubes, respectively.