Cell-cell junctions Practice Questions
20 free Cell-cell junctions practice questions for the USMLE Step 1, each with the correct answer and a detailed explanation. Open any question below, or take the full set as an interactive quiz.
Questions
20 questions
All Cell-cell junctions questions
- Q1. Which class of cell–cell junctions primarily functions to seal adjacent epithelial cells and prevent paracellular leakage of molecules and ions?
- Q2. Which transmembrane proteins are most critically involved in the formation of tight junctions between epithelial cells?
- Q3. Which type of cell–cell junction is characterized by direct cytoplasmic connections allowing passage of ions and small molecules between adjacent cells?
- Q4. What is the basic structural unit of a gap junction channel in vertebrate cells?
- Q5. Which of the following junction types links the actin cytoskeleton of one cell to that of its neighbor, providing mechanical support and maintaining tissue int…
- Q6. Which type of cell junction connects intermediate filaments of adjacent cells via cadherin proteins and is prominent in tissues subject to mechanical stress (e…
- Q7. Which specialized junction type anchors epithelial cells to the underlying basement membrane via integrin proteins and cytoplasmic intermediate filaments?
- Q8. Which of the following functions is NOT typically associated with cell–cell junctions in epithelial tissue?
- Q9. If a toxin disrupts claudin and occludin interactions in the epithelium, which consequence is most likely?
- Q10. Which junctional complex is most likely to facilitate the synchronized contraction of cardiac muscle cells by allowing rapid spread of ions between cells?
- Q11. The 'terminal bar' observed under light microscopy at the apical end of epithelial cells most closely corresponds to which of the following under electron micr…
- Q12. Which family of proteins mediates calcium-dependent adhesion at adherens junctions and desmosomes?
- Q13. Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes between adherens junctions and tight junctions in epithelial cells?
- Q14. Which type of junction would be most compromised in a disease that weakens intermediate filament linkage between epithelial cells, potentially causing blister…
- Q15. Which cell–cell junction type can be dynamically regulated (opened or closed) to modulate intercellular communication between neighboring cells?
- Q16. In which scenario is a hemidesmosome most critical for normal tissue function?
- Q17. Which junctional complex is most directly responsible for maintaining apical–basal polarity of epithelial cells by restricting lateral diffusion of membrane pr…
- Q18. Which of the following statements about communicating junctions is true?
- Q19. Which of the following would likely impair gap junction–mediated intercellular communication in a tissue?
- Q20. Which of the following junction types is LEAST likely to be found between adjacent endothelial cells of a leaky capillary where high permeability is required?