Which filaments are connected to adherens junctions, forming a belt around epithelial cells?

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Prepare for the Epithelial Tissue Structure and Function Test. Explore with multiple choice questions and explanations. Master epithelial tissue concepts for your exam success!

Multiple Choice

Which filaments are connected to adherens junctions, forming a belt around epithelial cells?

Explanation:
Adherens junctions connect neighboring epithelial cells to the actin cytoskeleton, forming a continuous belt around each cell. The extracellular domains of cadherins mediate strong cell–cell adhesion, while the intracellular tails bind catenins that link to actin filaments. This creates the zonula adherens, a contractile belt just beneath the tight junctions that helps shape and stabilize the epithelial sheet. Microtubules and intermediate filaments aren’t organized into this circumferential belt—microtubules handle transport and structural support elsewhere, and intermediate filaments (keratin) connect to desmosomes for tissue resilience.

Adherens junctions connect neighboring epithelial cells to the actin cytoskeleton, forming a continuous belt around each cell. The extracellular domains of cadherins mediate strong cell–cell adhesion, while the intracellular tails bind catenins that link to actin filaments. This creates the zonula adherens, a contractile belt just beneath the tight junctions that helps shape and stabilize the epithelial sheet. Microtubules and intermediate filaments aren’t organized into this circumferential belt—microtubules handle transport and structural support elsewhere, and intermediate filaments (keratin) connect to desmosomes for tissue resilience.

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