Epithelia I, II, III Flashcards
7 general functions of Epithelia
- Barrier
- Selective absorption and transport of molecules
- Selective secretion
- Movement of particles and mucous
- Biochemical modification
- Communication to/from tissues/organs
- Reception of sensory stimuli
How does the naming convention of epithelia occur?
Epithelia classified on:
- # layers
- cell shape relative to apical basal sides
- Stratified epithelia are named based on outermost layer of epithelia
(e. g. stratified squamous epithelia have a squamous outer layer, though inner cells are often cuboidal))
Describe structural arrangement/polarity of epithelia
surface that faces lumen = apical surface
surface that faces towards CT = basal surface
Most epithelial cells have polarity -
-molecular/protein comp on apical and basal side are diff due to tight junctions
What does the polarity of epithelia allow for?
transcytosis: The endocytosis of substances from one membrane region, followed by trans-cellular transport of the vesicles and their exocytosis from another membrane
Describe pseudostratified epithelium
consists of a falsely-stratified single layer of epithelia
- appear stratified bc cells have diff heights
- all cells sit on basement membrane, but not all reach apical surface
- nuclei are staggard
examples: trachea, vas deferens, epididymus
general structural relationships (orientation) to other structures
- The basal surface of the epithelia overlies and is attached to the basal lamina
- The epithelia and basal lamina also attaches to CT.
- CT contains blood vessels, muscles and nerves
Are epithelial cells highly vascular or have no vascular supply?
No inbuilt vascular supply.
-Blood needs to diffuse through the connective tissue to reach the epithelia.
Describe epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
-why is this important in cancer studies?
during development, primitive epithelial cells become mesenchymal cells, infiltrate the epithelial layer and migrate through the body to form new regions of epithelia
- tumors do this - reactivate mesenchymal transition, migrate through the body, and metastasize their evil little hearts out
List the different types of cell junctions
- Tight junctions (zonula occludens)
- Adherence junctions ( zonula adherens)
- Desmosomes (macula adherens)
- Gap junctions
Tight junctions
Zonula occludens
- made of occludins and claudins
- Wraps all around cell
- Hold adjacent epithelial cells together
- provides highly selective barrier that limits/prevents diffusion of membrane proteins
- the basis of impermeability of epithelia: it forces substances in the lumen (water, ions, etc) to go through the cells as opposed to between them to get into the basal surfaces.
Adherence junctions
zonula adherens
-made of cadherins that link to actin filaments
- promote attachment and polarity of membrane
Desmosomes
macula adherens
-made of cadherins (diff from that of adherence junctions) that link to intermediate filaments
cadherins
Make up adjacent junction and desmosomes.
transmembrane proteins with extracellular domains that interact with eachother in presence of calcium
cytoplasmic tails that bind adapters and controls various aspects of epithelial polarity , development, and function
gap junctions
small “tunnel” or channel between 2 adjacent cells.
promotes rapid communication between epithelial cells through diffusion of ions/small molecules (signaling molecules)
types and functions of different cell surface modifications on epithelial cells
- microvilli: cell surface protrusions containing actin meant to increase surface area (more efficient membrane transport/secretion)
- cilia: protrusions containing microtubules powered by dynein. Moves substances by rhythmic motion.