How do the cells of multicellular organisms stick together?

Question

The most rudimentary multicellular organisms are small colonies of single-celled organisms that co-operate to the extent that they behave as a single creature (e.g. Volvox). How do these organisms stick together so that they may accomplish this?

Answer 1

There are several methods used, all of which utilise surface proteins. However, the characteristics of the join are dictated by the specific proteins used.

Have a read up on "Tight junctions" ( these create an impervious join between two cells), Desmosomes and "Anchoring junctions". It's also worth (as mentioned above) having a look at "CAMs - Cell Adhesion Molecules) and Connexons (Made up of 6 Connexin molecules on either cell surface) which create "Gap" junctions, through which fluids and some smaller molecules can pass.

Answer 2

Adherens junctions, tight junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions are what keep cells connected to each other. Gap junctions even directly connect the cytoplasm of two cells, which allows various molecules and ions to pass freely between cells. But there are also circumstances in which cells need to be seperated by an extracellular matrix or coating. The matrix consists of protein fibers embedded in an amorphous mixture of protein-polysaccharide ("proteoglycan") molecules.

Answer 3

A combination of extracellular matrix proteins and the activity of several cell associated proteins such as connexins, cell adhesion mlolecules and the like.

Answer 4

CJMS or cell junctional molecules

and intercellular matrix

Answer 5

Pritt stick.

Not really! silly billy.
I would imagine it's something like fibrin but much smaller.

Answer 6

Intracellular cement. Thats what we always refer to it as.