Connect with us

    Blog

    Modification of Plasma Membrane | Class 11 & NEET Free Notes

    Published

    on

    In this article we will discuss about:- Microvilli, Inter digitations, Tight junction, Gap junction, Desmosomes and Plasmodesmata

    What is Modification of Plasma Membrane?

    • Plasma membrane shows some specialized structures
    • To perform some additional functions plasma membrane shows some changes
    1. Free Surface Modification
    2. Junctional Complex

    [ Must Read: Fluid Mosaic Model of Plasma Membrane ]

    1. Free Surface Modification

    Microvilli

    • Minute finger like projections arising from surface of certain cells
    • Single cell contains more than 3000 microvilli
    • Found in epithelial cells of intestine, kidney tubules, gall bladder and hepatic cells
    • Function: increase the surface area for absorption
    1. Junctional Complex

    Inter digitations

    • Plasma membrane of adjacent cells project into cytoplasm as finger-like projections
    • Found in lymph nodes and lymphoid tissues
    • Function: increase surface area for exchange of substance between the cells

    Tight junction

    • Plasma membrane of adjacent cells fuses by extrinsic proteins
    • Found in brain cells, gall bladder and intestinal cells
    • Function: adhesion

    Gap junction

    • Gap junction is channel through two cell membranes across the intercellular space between two adjacent cells
    • Found in cardiac muscles
    • Function: conduct electrical signals & passage of ions, sugar, vitamin and metabolites

    Desmosomes

    • Desmosomes are thickened areas of plasma membrane of two adjacent cells
    • Found in cardiac muscle and skin cells
    • Function: help to glue the cells together

    Plasmodesmata

    • Cytoplasm of adjacent cell connected with cytoplasmic strands
    • Found in plant cells
    • Function: exchange of materials between two cells

    Trending