Lab 1: Intro to Epithelium

Question 1

Tissues

Answer 1

Groups of cells that are structurally similar and work together to perform a common function.

Question 2

4 Primary Tissue Types

Answer 2

Epithelium
Connective Tissue
Muscle
Nervous Tissue

Question 3

Epithelium Functions

Answer 3

Covering or lining tissue.
Functions:
Protection
Absorption
Diffusion
Secretion
Filtration

Question 4

Epithelium: General Characteristics

Answer 4

• Tightly packed cells.
• Very little extracellular fluid around cells.
• Nerve fibers present, but no blood supply.
• Can regenerate if injured.
• Underlying basement membrane: region of proteins, but no cells.
• Connective tissue beneath basement membrane.

Question 5

Epithelium: Classification

Answer 5

6 types of epithelium.
Classified by:
    # of cell layers and cell shape.

Question 6

Classification by # of Cell Layers

Answer 6

• Simple epithelium: single layer of cells. Functions: filtration, absorption, diffusion, secretion.
• Stratified epithelium: 2 or more cell layers. Function: protection.

Question 7

Classification by Cell Shape

Answer 7

Squamous
Cuboidal
Columnar
Transitional
Pseudostratified

Question 8

Squamous

Answer 8

“squashed”; flat thin cells. Simple or stratified.

Question 9

Cuboidal

Answer 9

“cube”; width ≈ height. Simple or stratified.

Question 10

Columnar

Answer 10

“column”; tall, thin cells. Simple or stratified. May have cilia and/or goblet cells.

Question 11

Transitional

Answer 11

mixture of squamous, cuboidal, & columnar cells. Stratified only. Stretch - urinary system.

Question 12

Pseudostratified

Answer 12

single layer of cells – different height. Simple only. Usually columnar. May have cilia and/or goblet cells.