Identify cell structures used for direct contact in animal cells

The answer is synapse and dendrite

A synapse is a structure that allows a neuron (which is one type of animal cells) to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another neuron. That second neuron will then target a certain cell, causing a stimulus in the cell. This permits a direct contact between the cells.

Dendrites are extensions of a neuron that recieve the signal and propagate it to the rest of the neuron.