Epithelia Tissue

Question 1

Where is epithelia tissue found in the human body?

Answer 1

Line all body surfaces
Hollow Organs
Glands
Blood Vessels

Question 2

Describe the blood flow to epithelia tissue

Answer 2

Epithelia tissue is avascular. It receives no direct blood flow
The basal membrane that epithelia is on allows for diffusion of nutrients and oxygen to the tissue

Question 3

What are the main four functions of epithelia tissue?

Answer 3

attachment, absorption, protection and secretion

Question 4

Describe the polarity in epithelial tissue

Answer 4

It has an apical-basal polarity

Question 5

What is epithelial tissue attached to

Answer 5

A basal membrane which is above connective tissue

Question 6

Describe where you would find the apical surface of epithelial tissue

Answer 6

The surface exposed to the inside of the lined cavity

Question 7

What extensions are included in the apical surface

Answer 7

Microvilli and Cilia

Question 8

Describe where you would find the basal surface of epithelial tissue

Answer 8

The surface facing the connective tissue on the outside of the lined cavity

Question 9

What is the basal surface supported by ?

Answer 9

A basement membrane

Question 10

What is the basal lamina, where is it found and what is its function?

Answer 10

A thin sheet that lines the basal surface. It determines which molecules can diffuse through the membrane

Question 11

Where is the reticular lamina found, what is it made of and what is its function?

Answer 11

Below the basal lamina. Made of a network of collagen fibres, which serves as an attachment to connective tissue

Question 12

What three specialist contacts are found in epithelium?

Answer 12

Tight junctions, desmasomes and gap junctions

Question 13

What is the function of tight junctions?

Answer 13

Maintain polarity i.e. protects the basal side from the apical side

Question 14

What is the function of desmasomes?

Answer 14

Resists mechanical forces and holds the epithelial cells together

Question 15

What is the function of gap junctions?

Answer 15

Allows intracellular transfer

Question 16

What is the function of the connective tissue found below the epithelium layer (4)

Answer 16

Provides support, reinforces the epithelial sheet, resists stretching and defines the epithelial boundary

Question 17

Describe the shape of squamous epithelium (2)

Answer 17

Flat and tile like

Flat central nucleus

Question 18

Describe the shape of cuboidal epithelia (2)

Answer 18

Box like shape

Spherical central nucleus

Question 19

Describe the shape of columnar epithelia (2)

Answer 19

Column shaped

Elongated basal nucleus

Question 20

What is the definition of single epithelia? Where are they mostly found?

Answer 20

A single layer of epithelial cells

Mostly found in areas of high secretion/absorption i.e. blood vessels

Question 21

What is the definition of stratified epithelia? Where are they mostly found?

Answer 21

Two or more layers of epithelial cells

Common in high abrasion areas such as the skin

Question 22

Describe pseudostratified epithelia

Answer 22

All cells touch the basal lamina

Generally columnar in shape

Question 23

What is the function of simple squamous epithelia and where is it found?

Answer 23

Involved in diffusion, filtration in the lymphatic and cardiovascular system.
Also present in kidneys, blood vessels and alveoli

Question 24

What is the function of simple cuboidal epithelia?

Answer 24

Involved in secretion