Which type of junctions are crucial for maintaining tissue integrity by anchoring cells together?

Desmosomes are indeed crucial for maintaining tissue integrity by anchoring cells together. These specialized structures are found in various tissues that experience significant mechanical stress, such as cardiac muscle and epithelial tissues. Desmosomes provide strong adhesion between adjacent cells through protein complexes that link to intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton, allowing cells to effectively resist stretching and deformation.

This anchoring ability is vital in tissues where cell integrity must be preserved during activities like contraction or movement. By connecting to the cytoskeleton of neighboring cells, desmosomes distribute mechanical stress and help maintain the overall structure and function of the tissue.

In contrast, gap junctions facilitate intercellular communication by allowing small molecules and ions to pass directly between neighboring cells, but they do not anchor cells. Tight junctions, while also important for maintaining tissue integrity, primarily serve to create a barrier that prevents the free passage of substances between cells rather than reinforcing their anchorage. Plasmodesmata, found only in plant cells, serve as channels for transport and communication between plant cells but do not act as anchoring junctions. Thus, desmosomes are specifically vital for the mechanical integrity of tissues.