False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) showing intercelluar junctions (desmosomes) in human skin tissue. Desmosomes form commonest type of junction between epithelial cells, providing points of cohesion & acting as anchorage points for the cytoskeleton of each cell. Desmosomes appear red in image; the opposing plasma membranes are separated by a gap in which dense filaments may be seen. On the cytoplasmic side of each membrane there is an area where fibrillar elements in the cytoplams appear to converge (again in red). Desmosomes appear across whole image - 1 is particularly clear at top, centre-left. Magnification: X 8800 at 35mm size.