What is "gap junction"

n. (context biology English) A specialized connection between cells that allows for intercellular communication, or the transfer of low molecular-weight substances

A gap junction may also be called a nexus or macula communicans. When found in nerves it may also be called an electrical synapse. While an ephapse has some similarities to a gap junction, by modern definition the two are different.

Gap junctions are a specialized intercellular connection between a multitude of animal cell-types. They directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules, ions and electrical impulses to directly pass through a regulated gate between cells.

One gap junction channel is composed of two connexons (or hemichannels), which connect across the intercellular space. Gap junctions are analogous to the plasmodesmata that join plant cells.

Gap junctions occur in virtually all tissues of the body, with the exception of adult fully developed skeletal muscle and mobile cell types such as sperm or erythrocytes. Gap Junctions, however, are not found in simpler organisms such as sponges and slime molds.