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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of simple squamous epithelium?
What is the main function of simple squamous epithelium?
- Sensory reception
- Secretion
- Protection
- Diffusion and filtration (correct)
What is a characteristic of epithelial cells?
What is a characteristic of epithelial cells?
- They are tightly packed with minimal extracellular material in between (correct)
- They are anchored to the underlying connective tissue at their apical surface
- They are loosely packed with a lot of extracellular material in between
- They are avascular but lack innervation
How do stratified epithelial cells contact the basement membrane?
How do stratified epithelial cells contact the basement membrane?
- No cells are in direct contact
- Only the top layer of cells are in direct contact
- All cells are in direct contact
- Only the deepest layer of cells are in direct contact (correct)
What is the function of the basement membrane?
What is the function of the basement membrane?
What is the shape of the cells in cuboidal epithelium?
What is the shape of the cells in cuboidal epithelium?
What is a function of epithelium?
What is a function of epithelium?
Where is simple squamous epithelium typically found?
Where is simple squamous epithelium typically found?
What is a characteristic of epithelial cells that face the external environment or an internal body cavity?
What is a characteristic of epithelial cells that face the external environment or an internal body cavity?
What is the primary function of sensory receptors in epithelial cells?
What is the primary function of sensory receptors in epithelial cells?
How does epithelium receive its blood supply?
How does epithelium receive its blood supply?
How can epithelium be classified?
How can epithelium be classified?
What is a function of some epithelial cells?
What is a function of some epithelial cells?
What happens to the deepest epithelial cells?
What happens to the deepest epithelial cells?
What is the characteristic of the nucleus in columnar epithelial cells?
What is the characteristic of the nucleus in columnar epithelial cells?
What is the characteristic of stratified epithelial cells?
What is the characteristic of stratified epithelial cells?
What is a function of the epithelial barrier?
What is a function of the epithelial barrier?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Epithelium
- Epithelium is composed of tightly packed cells with minimal extracellular material in between.
- Epithelial cells have an apical surface facing the external environment or internal body cavity and a basal surface anchored to the underlying connective tissue.
- Epithelial cells are attached to a basement membrane, a complex structure produced by both epithelial cells and underlying connective tissue.
- Epithelium lacks blood vessels and receives its blood supply via diffusion from the underlying connective tissue.
- Epithelium is richly innervated by sensory nerves that detect changes in the surrounding environment.
Functions of Epithelium
- Epithelium protects surfaces from abrasion, dehydration, and damage from physical, chemical, or biological substances.
- Epithelium acts as a barrier through which all substances that enter or leave the body must pass.
- Epithelium aids in the retention of essential substances and elimination of waste substances.
- Some epithelial cells produce secretions for lubrication, breakdown of substances, and chemical communication.
- Epithelium contains sensory receptors and specialized cells responsible for our general and special senses.
Classification of Epithelium
- Epithelium can be classified based on the number of cell layers (simple or stratified) and the shape of cells (squamous, cuboidal, or columnar).
- Simple epithelium has a single layer of cells, with all cells in direct contact with the basement membrane.
- Stratified epithelium has two or more layers of cells, with only the basal layer in direct contact with the basement membrane.
Types of Epithelium
- Squamous epithelium has flat, irregularly shaped cells with a flattened, centrally located nucleus.
- Cuboidal epithelium has cells that are as tall as they are wide, with a round, centrally located nucleus.
- Columnar epithelium has cells that are taller than they are wide, with an oval-shaped, basally located nucleus.
- Simple squamous epithelium is composed of a single layer of squamous cells, with main functions of diffusion and filtration.
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