question_answer 43)

  How does a gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication?

Answer:

                  Gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small signaling moleculesto pass from cell to cell. These are fine hydrophilic channels between two adjacent animalcells that are formed with the help of two protein cylinders called connexus. Each connexus consists of six proteins subunits that surround a hydrophilic channel. pHand  ion concentration controls, opening or closing of channels.