Tight Junctions and Transmembrane Proteins Quiz

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What is the main function of tight junctions between epithelial cells?

To allow for the free movement of hormones and cytokines

To prevent the passage of water and solutes between cells (correct)

To connect the apical and basolateral domains of the plasma membrane

To facilitate paracellular diffusion

What is the approximate diameter of tight junction pores in humans?

10-15 Å

1-2 Å

4-8 Å (correct)

20-25 Å

What is the role of spectrin in tight junctions?

To regulate the paracellular diffusion

To stabilize the tight junctions (correct)

To connect the tight junctions to the cytoskeleton

To facilitate the passage of hormones and cytokines

What causes the 'leak' in tight junctions?

The lack of ATP Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of tight junctions that fuse the outer surfaces of adjacent plasma membranes together?

Occludin and claudins Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of tight junctions in leaky epithelia?

To allow for the free movement of water and solutes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of adhesive glycoproteins in the ECM?

To attach cells to the matrix Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following tissues has the highest abundance of ECM?

Connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the ECM in providing tissue stability?

By linking areas of cells together Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of fibronectin in the ECM?

To attach cells to the matrix Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the paracellular pathway in epithelial cells?

To allow the passage of selective molecules Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cell junctions in tissues?

To provide contact points between cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of tight junctions in epithelial cells?

To provide a barrier to the passage of water and solutes between cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of brain microvessel endothelial cells (BMEC) that restricts the passage of compounds from the blood into the brain?

Presence of tight junctions between cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of tight junctions in the digestive tract?

To prevent the passage of digestive enzymes and waste products into underlying tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of tight junctions in the transcellular pathway of glucose transport in intestinal epithelial cells?

Glucose is prevented from being transported through the basolateral surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of tight junctions on the blood-brain barrier (BBB)?

Impedes the penetration of potential therapeutic agents into the brain Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of tight junctions in the isolation of apical and basolateral domains of the plasma membrane?

To separate and isolate the domains from each other Signup and view all the answers