gap junction

Osteocytes: Structure, Function & Diseases

Osteocytes are mature bone cells enclosed by osteoblasts of the bone matrix. When bone is defective, osteocytes die because of inadequate nutrient supply, prompting the bone-degrading osteoclasts. Pathologic osteocytes may be relevant to diseases such as osteoporosis. What are osteocytes? Human bone is alive. Immature osteoblasts form what is called the bone matrix. This network … Osteocytes: Structure, Function & Diseases

Gap Junction: Structure, Function & Diseases

Gap junctions are clusters of cell-cell channels. These cross the cell membranes of two neighboring cells and provide a connection between the cytoplasm. What is a gap junction? Gap junctions are so-called connexons (protein complexes) that connect the plasma membrane of two cells. The membranes are fixed, but a gap is still visible under the … Gap Junction: Structure, Function & Diseases