CT and epithelium Flashcards
3 Functions of epithelium
- Covering, Lining, and protecting surfaces
- Absorption
- Secretion
Basic Characteristics of epithelium (6)
- Polyhedral cells that are tightly attached to each other
- Forms sheets of cells which coat the outer surface of body and line various organs
- Forms glands and other secretory tissues
- Undergoes mitosis and is avascular.
- Relies on diffusion from blood vessels in adjacent CT
- Its a polar tissue and has two faces; the apical pole, or side by lumen, and the basal pole, the side by the CT.
What is the Basement Membrane
A thin sheet of ECM that contains contributions from both the CT and epithelium.
What anchors basement membrane to the cells?
hemidesmosomes
how thick is the basement membrane?
50-100nm thick
what are the zones of the basement membrane?
- Lamina Lucida (by the cell and made of laminin, enactin, and integrins)
- Lamina Densa (Collagen IV)
- Lamina Fibroreticularis (Depends, Collagen III)
Naming epithelium is based on which two factors?
- Layering
2. Shape of cells at surface
Simple squamous epithelium is found where in the body?
Areas of high diffusion (blood/lymph vessels, kidney glomeruli, lung alveoli)
Simple cuboidal epithelium is found where in the body?
Secretory cells lining glands and ducts, kidney tubules. Basically anywhere secretion of proteins is happening.
Simple columnar epithelium is found where in the body?
Mucous secreting absorptive surfaces (GI tract, bronchi of the lungs, uterine tubes) In bronchi and uterine tubes they are ciliated.
psuedostratisfied ciliated columnar epithelium is found where in the body?
Mucosal surfaces where they can secrete mucous. They are ciliated to push the mucous along.(Sperm ducts, ducts of larger glands, trachea and upper resp. tract.)
Stratified squamous epithelium is found where in the body?
If keratinized, its found on the skin and attached gingiva. If not keratinized, lining mucosa of the mouth, esophagus and vagina. So anything that might encounter abrasive forces on a regular basis.
Stratified cuboidal epithelium is found where in the body?
Rare, found in ducts of large sweat glands, salivary glands and mammary glands.
Stratified columnar epithelium is found where in the body?
Fairly rare. Found in male urethra, salivary glands. Sometimes its transitional between simple columnar and stratified squamous epithelia.
Urothelium is found where in the body?
Bladder lining, its stretchy.
What are microfilaments composed of?
Actin
How big in diameter are microfilaments?
6-8 nm
What are the functions of microfilaments?
- structural
- Microvilli
- For movement of a cell ( ex. filopodia)
- Gives shape to the cell
- Forms tracks for myosin, giving contractility
What are intermediate filaments composed of?
It depends on the tissue, but mostly vimentin ( in mesenchymal cells) and cytokeratin.
How big in diameter are intermediate filaments?
Around 10 nm in diameter.
What are the functions of intermediate filaments?
- Anchors
- structure
(it is non-contractile)
What are microtubules composed of?
Tubulin
How big in diameter are microtubules?
25 nm
What are the functions of microtubules (2)?
- Kenesins (monorail system)
2. Movement (like Cilia and flagella using dynein)
What is a tight junction?
An interaction between two similar membrane proteins on adjacent cells.
What are characteristics of tight junctions (4)?
- There are very narrow gaps between the joined cells. This controls the movement of stuff between them.
- They maintain cell polarization
- They bind to actin filaments.
- They play roles in various signaling pathways (like “contact inhibition”)
What are 3 different types of tight junctions?
- Claudins
- Occludins
- JAMs
What are Adhesive Junctions?
They hold cells to each other.
What are some of the components of adhesive junctions?
- one Catherine (on outside) bind to two catinins (one on the inside of each cell) linking them together.
- Two nectins on outside of cells are bound together and each of them are bound to an Afadin on the inside of each cell (Nectin-Afadin complex). This plays a role in contact inhibition.
- Viniculin and actinin attach to actin filaments, which help link everything together.
How big of a gap are between two cells joined by cell to cell adhesive junctions?
20 nm (stuff can move through, mostly)
What are Focal adhesion junctions?
They are similar to cell to cell adhesions, but they are cell to ECM adhesions.