Epithelium Flashcards
Common features to all eukaryotic cells
Outer membrane, inner cytosol, cytoskeleton, membrane bound organelles and inclusions
What is the cytosol
A solution of proteins, electrolytes and carbohydrates
What are the four basic types of tissue
Epithelium, muscle, connective tissue and nervous tissue
Function of surface epithelium
Covers and lines surfaces, cavities and tubes
Function of specialised epithelial cells
Receptors for special sense organs
What are epithelia composed of
Closely aggregated, polyhedral epithelial cells with minimum intercellular space
Adhesion between epithelial cells is
Strong
Functions of epithlia
Mechanical barrier, chemical barrier, adsorption, secretion, containment, locomotion, sensation and contractility
Characteristics of epithelia
- Typically polarised
- Basal surface attached to a basal lamina
- Non-vascular
- Aggregate in sheets where the cells are closely apposed
- Cytoskeleton
- Prominent intracellular junctions
What is the cytoskeleton comprised of
Microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules
What do intercellular junctions do
Link individual cells together into a functional unit
Different intercellular junctions
Occluding junctions, anchoring/adherant junction and communicating junctions
How do the filaments of the cytoskeleton work
They attach to the cell membranes and to each other by anchoring and joining proteins to form a dynamic 3D internal scaffolding in the cell
Occluding junctions
Form a diffusion barrier
Anchoring/adherent junctions
Provide mechanical strength
