3. Introduction To Microanatomy: Epithelial Tissue Flashcards

1
Q
  1. Identify and describe the different types of epithelial cells and give an example of where each type is found (objective)
A

Answer later

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q
  1. Identify and describe the specialized epithelial cell junctions and the role they play in forming epithelial tissue (objective)
A

Answer later

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Epithelial Cells: Overview (1/3)

A

Form continuous sheets that cover and line body’s free surfaces

  • Provide protection (skin)
  • Mediate transport of nutrients (intestines), gases (lungs), waste material (kidneys)
  • Secrete lubricating fluid (serosal surfaces)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Epithelial Cells: Overview (2/3)

A

Make up functional tissues of organs (parenchyma) and are key elements of many glands
-Produce and export enzymes and hormones (pancreas, liver, salivary gland)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Epithelial Cells: Overview (3/3)

A

Specialized epithelial cells serve as sensory receptors

-Convert external stimuli to electrical signals (olfactory sensory neurons, auditory hair cells, photoreceptors)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Epithelial Tissue Characteristics

A
  1. Location: cover external/internal surfaces
  2. Organization: maintain cohesion so that they form continuous sheets
  3. Attached to basement membrane: cells have structural and functional polarity
  4. Avascular: tissue closely supported by underlying connective tissue
  5. Capable of repair and replacement: cells can be renewed continuously by mitotic activity and stem cell populations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Intercellular Adhesion (1/3)

A

Via membrane-associated structures that provide connection and communication between lateral surfaces of cells
-Tight junctions (occludens) and adherent junctions form adjacent bands encircling apical end of cell (six-pack of canned drinks)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Tight Junctions

A
  • Opposing cell membranes held in tight contact by transmembrane adhesive proteins (claudin, occludin, junctional adhesion molecule)
  • Physical/chemical barrier to control paracellular movement of substances
  • Define and maintain separation between apical and basal areas of cell membrane to maintain cell polarity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Adherent Junctions

A
  • Opposing membranes held close with thin sliver of intercellular space
  • Space bridged by cadherins (Ca2+)
  • Cadherins attach to cytoplasmic proteins (catenins) which in turn attach to actin filaments/microtubules.
  • Transmembrane protein complexes interact with signaling molecules (tumor suppressor)
  • Role in regulating cell cell contact (morphogenesis, remodeling of tissue/organs, controlled proliferation of cells)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Intercellular Adhesion (2/3)

A
  • Desmosomes: anchoring junctions that occur sporadically (do not form band, function as “spot welds” to reinforce cellular adhesion), sheering force
  • Transmembrane proteins (desmosomal cadherins) attach to intermediate filaments of cytoskeleton via cytoplasmic proteins for additional structural support
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Desmosomes

A
  • Prominent in tissues under mechanical stress (heart, skin)
  • Dysfunction of desmosomal cadherins associated with cell adhesion cardiomyopathy (arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia), blistering diseases (pemphigus vulgaris)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Intercellular Adhesion (3/3)

A

-Gap junctions: clusters of intercellular channels that allow for rapid transmission of electrical or chemical information from cell to cell, promote coordinated action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Gap Junctions

A
  • Intercellular gap is spanned by channel-forming transmembrane proteins (connexins)
  • Connexins form hexameric complexes called connexons, which align with connexons from neighboring cell (each gap junction has dozens to hundreds of aligned pairs)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Basilar Adhesion

A
  • Basal surface of cells rests on thin felt-like sheet of macromolecules which is outside cell but secreted from cell (basement membrane)
  • Basement membrane composed of 2 layers (basal and reticular lamina)
  • Attached to cell via hemidesmosome
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Hemidesmosome

A
  • Transmembrane protein integrin interacts with extracellular protein laminin to link intermediate filaments of cytoskeleton to extracellular basement membrane
  • Integrin plays role in cell-cell communication, modulation of cell proliferation and differentiation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Basement Membrane (not actually a membrane)

A
  • Complex mixture of macromolecules that bind hormones and other signaling molecules
  • Serves as semi-permeable filter for substances coming to cell from underlying tissue
  • Epithelial cells require contact with it to function normally and establish polarity
17
Q

Specializations of Apical Cell Surface (1/2)

A

Apical vs. Basal

  • basal is by basement membrane, apical is opposite, usually facing a space
  • Different in structure/function, uneven distribution of organelles and proteins
18
Q

Specializations of Apical Cell Surface (2/2)

A

Specialized structures function to increase the apical surface area for better absorption (microvilli) or to move substances along the epithelial surface (cilia)
Microvilli- absorption organs
Villi- respiratory tract and lungs, fallopian tubes (longer projections, microtubules)

19
Q

Epithelial Tissue Type I- Covering (Lining)

A

Classified according to cell shape and number of layers

20
Q

Epithelial Tissue Type II- Secretory (Glandular)

A

Classified by structure

21
Q

Arrangement of Cells (classification)

A

Simple (single layer)
Stratified (multiple layers)
Pseudostratified (single layer but looks multilayered)

22
Q

Shape of Cells (classification)

A

Squamous
Cuboidal
Columnar

23
Q

Simple Squamous

A

Structure: one layer with flat nuclei

Function: allow passage via diffusion/filtration, secretes lubricating substances

Location: lining blood vessels/lymphatics, alveoli/lungs , renal glomeruli, heart, serous lining of cavities (mesothelium)

24
Q

Simple Cuboidal

A

Structure: cube like cells with large spherical central nucleus

Function: secretion and absorption

Location: renal tubules, ducts and glands

25
Simple Columnar
Structure: single layer of tall cells with large round nucleus Function: protection, lubrication, absorption, secretion Location: lining of intestine, gallbladder, female reproductive tract
26
Stratified Squamous
Structure: two or more layers of thin cells with flat nuclei Function: protection, secretion, prevention of fluid loss Location: skin, mouth, esophagus, larynx, vagina, anus
27
Stratified Cuboidal
Structure: 2+ (usually 2) layers of cube like cells with large central nuclei Function: protection, secretion Location (rare): sweat glands, mammary glands, testes, developing ovarian follicles
28
Transitional
Structure: top has dome-shaped (umbrella) cells with membranes that allow them to withstand hypertonic effects of urine and protect underlying cells from toxins; cells can adjust with each other as urinary bladder fills and wall is distended. Function: protection and distensibility Location: bladder, ureters, renal calyces
29
Stratified Columnar
Structure: 2+ layers of columnar (top columnar, lower usually cuboidal) Function: protection and secretion Location (rare): parts of male urethra, some glands
30
Pseudostratified | Clue is mucus white spots
Structure: single layer of cells with nuclei at varying heights (mucus in between, also look for cilia) Function: protection, secretion, cilia-mediated transport of mucous and trapped particles Location: lining of trachea, bronchi, nasal cavity
31
Glands
Begins as epithelium, proliferation of cells and growth into connective tissue. 1. Exocrine: secretory portion and duct leading back to epithelium (ie acini in pancreas) 2. Endocrine: no duct cells, secrete products into bloodstream (ie islets of Langerhans in pancreas)