Which feature is shared between adherens junctions and desmo

Which feature is shared between adherens junctions and desmosomes?

a. Both contain cadherins

b. Both connect the intermediate filaments of neighboring cells

c. Both connect the actin cytoskeleton of neighboring cells

d. Both promote contraction of a cell layer

e. Both provide physical strength to a cell layer

Solution

a. Both contain cadherins

The cardiac muscle cells are connected by the “intercalating discs,” which are absent in the skeletal muscles. The components of intercalating discs include the gap junctions and desmosomes. Adherence junctions provide mechanical support to the cells and do not form a seal between the plasma membrane of two cells. Both the adherens junctions and desmosomes are made of cadherins.