A single cell within a culture of freshly isolated cardiac muscle cells is injected with a fluorescent dye that cannot cross cell membranes. Within minutes, several adjacent cells became fluorescent. The most likely explanation for this observation is the presence of
Gap junctions are pores composed of paired connexons that allow the passage of ions, nucleotides, and other small molecules between cells.Ref: Guyton; 13th edition
Gap junctions
IP3 receptors
Transverse tubules
Desmosomes
General physiology