ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Junctional complex

Alright kiddo, let's talk about a junctional complex. You know how when you're building a puzzle, the pieces fit together perfectly to create the whole picture? Well, cells in our body have to fit together like pieces of a puzzle too.

These cells are like tiny building blocks that make up our tissues and organs. And just like how you need glue or tape to stick the puzzle pieces together, cells have special structures called junctional complexes that help them stick together.

A junctional complex is like a special handshake between cells. It's made up of a bunch of different proteins that come together to create a very strong bond between neighboring cells. These proteins are like tiny hands that grip onto each other and hold the cells in place.

Without junctional complexes, cells wouldn't be able to stay together and tissues would fall apart like a puzzle missing some of its pieces.

But junctional complexes do more than just hold cells together. They also create a barrier that keeps things out or in. You know how your front door keeps strangers out and your bedroom door keeps your little sister from stealing your toys? Junctional complexes work like that too. They help create a tight seal that keeps things in or out of certain parts of the body.

For example, junctional complexes in the lining of our intestines keep harmful bacteria and toxins from entering our bloodstream. And in our skin, they keep water and important nutrients from escaping.

So, you can think of a junctional complex as a really strong handshake between cells that holds them together and creates a barrier to keep things in or out. Pretty cool, right?