L23 Flashcards
What is the role of tight junctions
refer to L23
Transcellular and paracellular transport
refer to L23
Have an understanding of Epithelial structure and function .
refer to L23
Understand how epithelial cells can mediate either absorption or secretion of a substance
refer to L23
Understand Glucose absorption in the intestine and kidney
refer to L23
Understand Glucose/galactose malabsorption syndrome
refer to L23
Understand Glucosuria in the kidney
refer to L23
Epithelia consists of cells arranged in….
continuous sheets in either single of multiple layers.
There are two basic types of epithelial tissues:
- Covering and lining epithelium, e.g., epidermis of skin, lining of blood vessels and ducts;
- Glandular epithelium, e.g., thyroid, adrenal, and sweat glands.
Epithelia cells are classified by arrangement of cells into layers:
- Simple = one cell layer thick
- Stratified = many cell layers thick.
- Pseudostratified = single layer of cells where all cells don’t reach apical surface;
Epithelia cells are classified by shape of surface cells:
- Squamous = flat;
- Cuboidal = cube-shaped
- Columnar = tall column
- Transitional = shape varies with tissue stretching.
Epithelia cells are classified by:
- arrangement of cells into layers
2. shape of surface cells
What are Tight junctions
composed of?
Tight junctions are composed of thin bands
that encircle the cell and make contact with thin bands from adjacent cells.
What do tight junctions do?
Tight junctions function both as a barrier to restrict the movement of substances through the
intercellular space between cells, and as a fence to prevent membrane proteins from diff using in
the plane of the lipid bilayer.
Tight junctions separate the epithelial cells into two distinct membrane
domains:
- Apical membrane (or luminal or mucosal) that faces the lumen of the organ or body cavity.
- Basolateral membrane that adheres to the adjacent basement membrane and interfaces with
the blood.
Transport via epithelium can occur
paracellular pathway (via tight junctions)
or transcellular pathway (through the cell),
or via both pathways.
What is Paracellular Transport?
Paracellular transport is governed by the laws of diff usion and the tightness of the tight junctions
What is transcellular transport?
Epithelial cells use primary and secondary active transport often in combination with passive diffusion
through ion channels to produce transport across the epithelial tissues.
This transport can either be:
Absorption: transport from lumen to blood;
Secretion: transport from blood to lumen.
What are the rules of Transcelluar Transport?
- Entry and exit steps
- Electrochemicial gradient
- Electroneutrality
- Osmosis
Describe Glucose Absorption
- Tight junctions divide cells into apical and basolateral membrane domains.
- Na/K pump sets up ion gradients.
- The sodium glucose symporter uses the energy of the Na+ gradient to actively accumulate
glucose above its concentration gradient. - Facilitative glucose transporter mediates glucose exit across the basolateral membrane via
passive diffusion down its gradient. - Na+ taken up via the sodium-glucose symporter and exits via the basolateral Na/K pump.
- The transport of Na+ and glucose across the epithelium induces paracellular Cl-
and water fluxes.
Describe Oral Rehydration Therapy.
The ability of glucose to enhance the absorption of Na+ and hence Cl-
and water is exploited in
oral rehydration therapy. A simple sugar solution, when given to dehydrated babies suffering from
diarrhoea, is responsible for saving millions of lives per year.
Describe Glucose/Galactose Malabsorption Syndrome
Glucose/galactose malabsorption syndrome is caused by a mutation in the Sodium-dependent
Glucose (co-) Transporter (SGLT) protein. It results in accumulation of glucose and galactose in the
lumen of the small intestine. This produces an osmotic imbalance, which attracts water and results
in severe diarrhoea.
What is the treatment for Glucose/Galactose Malabsorption Syndrome?
Treatment of glucose-galactose malabsorption involves the removal of glucose and galactose from
the diet. Fructose is used as a source of carbohydrate. This therapy uses a facilitative transporter
that is specific for fructose.
Describe Glucose Reabsorption in the Kidney
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In the kidney glucose in the plasma is filtered and needs to be reabsorbed or it will appear in the urine