Question

Some cells can communicate directly with each other through ___, where signaling molecules diffuse through the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.

Answer 1

Gap junctions and plasmodesmata are the structures through which direct cellular communication occurs, allowing small signaling molecules like calcium ions to pass between adjacent cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Some cells can communicate directly with each other through structures known as gap junctions in animals and plasmodesmata in plants. These are channels between the plasma membranes of neighboring cells, allowing for the diffusion of small signaling molecules such as calcium ions (Ca2+). This direct signaling enables a coordinated response among a group of cells to a signal that may only have been received by one cell, facilitating quick and efficient communication between cells.