Final answer:
Desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and cadherins are all involved in cell adhesion, while connexins and plaques have different functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary function of each of the following is for adhesion of a cell to another cell or the extracellular matrix except:
- Desmosomes
- Hemidesmosomes
- Plaques
- Connexins
- Cadherins
Desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and cadherins are all involved in cell adhesion, while connexins are associated with gap junctions that enable chemical communication between cells. Plaques are not a specific type of cell adhesion structure, but rather play a role in strengthening intercellular attachments. Gap junctions made by connexins let ions and small molecules pass through, facilitating rapid and synchronized responses in a tissue. Hence, the correct answer to which does not primarily function for adhesion is D) connexins.