Biology / Unit 2 Bio 0313 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Gap Junctions
Captions available
The idea
A gap junction is a protein-lined channel, built from six connexin proteins forming a connexon, letting ions and small molecules pass between adjacent animal cells.
In practice
Gap junctions let the signal to contract pass rapidly between cardiac muscle cells, so the heart's chambers contract in tandem.
Where people slip
A gap junction is the animal counterpart to a plasmodesma, though structurally distinct.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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