MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Intercellular communication is largely mediated by gap junctions (GJs), a type of specialized membrane contact composed of variable number of channels that enable direct communication between cells by allowing small molecules to pass directly into the cytoplasm of neighbouring cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -Gap junctions are also called communicating junctions, macula communicans, or nexuses. These are connections that allow for the direct passage of molecules between two cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gap junctions are crucial to the integration of certain cellular activities. For example, heart muscle cells generate electrical current by the movement of inorganic salts. If the cells are coupled, they will share this electrical current, allowing the synchronous contraction of all the cells in the tissue.