gap junction

a type of intercellular junction consisting of a gap of about 2 to 4 nm between the plasma membranes of two cells, spanned by protein channels that allow passage of electrical signals. See electrical synapse.

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

horizontal–vertical illusion

the misperception that vertical lines are longer than horizontal lines when both are actually the same length. The vertical element of an upper case letter T, for example, looks longer than the cross bar, even when the lengths are identical. See also foreshortening; Helmholtz square illusion.