Write note on epithelial tissue. 5 marks

English

ScanSolve AI Answer

Epithelial tissue is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, found on all internal and external surfaces of the body, lining cavities and hollow organs, and forming glands.

Key characteristics include:

  • Cellularity: Composed almost entirely of cells with very little extracellular material.
  • Specialized Contacts: Cells are joined by specialized junctions (e.g., tight junctions, desmosomes) to form continuous sheets.
  • Polarity: Epithelial cells have an apical (free) surface and a basal (attached) surface.
  • Supported by Connective Tissue: Underlies the epithelium is a basement membrane.
  • Avascular but Innervated: Lacks blood vessels but has nerve endings.

Functions of epithelial tissue include:

  • Protection: Protects underlying tissues from mechanical damage, dehydration, and chemical or biological agents.
  • Absorption: Absorbs nutrients from the lumen of organs like the small intestine.
  • Filtration: Kidneys use epithelial tissue to filter blood.
  • Secretion: Glandular epithelia secrete hormones, mucus, enzymes, etc.
  • Excretion: Kidneys excrete waste products.
  • Sensory Reception: Specialized epithelia can detect stimuli.
Was this helpful?

Still stuck on this one?

Ask a follow-up, and the answer starts from this question.

Got a different question?Ask your own question