Which two cytoskeleton filament systems are involved in adhering junctions?

The correct pairing of cytoskeleton filament systems that are involved in adhering junctions is based on the roles of actin filaments and intermediate filaments.

Actin filaments play a crucial role in forming the structure of adherens junctions, which connect adjacent cells in tissues and help maintain the integrity and shape of cells. The actin filaments link to cadherins, proteins that mediate cell-cell adhesion. This connection involves the recruitment of additional proteins that stabilize the junction and anchor it to the actin cytoskeleton, facilitating dynamic changes in cell shape and movement.

Intermediate filaments, on the other hand, provide tensile strength and structural support to the cell. They often work in concert with actin filaments at junctions. In epithelial tissues, for example, keratin intermediate filaments are connected to desmosomes, which are also adhesive junctions that serve a similar purpose as adherens junctions, providing mechanical stability by anchoring the filament system.

Together, these two filament systems ensure that adhering junctions are not only capable of maintaining adhesion between cells but also of withstanding mechanical stress, making them vital for tissue integrity. This functional collaboration is why actin filaments and intermediate filaments are the correct choice for