Final answer:
The absence of tight junctions can lead to leakage of materials such as urine or food particles between cells, compromising the intended barrier function and potentially causing adverse health effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
If certain tissues did not have tight junctions, a possible outcome is that materials such as liquids or molecules could leak between cells. This could lead to a compromise in the barrier function that tight junctions typically provide. For instance, without tight junctions, the epithelial cells lining the urinary bladder could fail to prevent urine from leaking into the extracellular space. Similarly, in the gut, the absence of tight junctions might allow food particles to seep between cells into the body, potentially leading to immune responses or infections. Tight junctions, made up of proteins such as claudins and occludins, create a watertight seal that is crucial for maintaining the integrity of tissues that line internal organs and cavities.