Epithelial Cells Flashcards
What are epithelial cells?
Cells forming continuous layers, these layers line surfaces and separate tissue compartments, as well as other functions.
How can epithelial cells be classsified?
By shoes or layering. Shapes:squamous, columnar or cuboidal. Layering: single or multilayered (stratified).
Where can you find pseudo-stratified epithelial cells?
Trachea, bronchi, urinary ducts and reproductive tracts.
Where can you find simple columnar epithelial cells?
The gut, where they are involved in the uptake of digested products. They are also found on surfaces involved in secretion and absorption.
What types of stratified squamous epithelial cells are there?
Keratinising and non-keratinising. Keratinising epithelial cells produce keratin then die. Non-keratising cells are subject to chemical and/or physical damage, but still retain nuclei and organelles.
What type of epithelial cells are found in the skin?
Keratinising stratified squamous epithelial cells
Where can you find non-keratising stratified squamous cells?
Mouth, oesophagus, anus, cervix and vaginal lining.
What is epithelial cell polarity? How is this achieved?
The idea that epithelial cells have a directionality to their membrane, based on the cell’s function and the membrane polarity it has. This is achieved by having different pores, membrane proteins and ion channels in different parts of the membrane, in relation to the cell’s surroundings.
What are the domains of an epithelial cell?
Apical and basolateral domaines. apical domain is in contact with the external, whilst the basolateral domain is in contact with the extracellular matrix and the basal lamina.
What types of cell-cell junctions are there in epithelia?
tight junction, adherent junction, desmosomes, and gap junction.
