Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Body Logistics > Lecture 8: Epithelial tissue and cell surface specialisations > Flashcards

Lecture 8: Epithelial tissue and cell surface specialisations Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of epithelial?

A

Sheets of contiguous cells, of varied embryonic origin, that cover the external surface of the body and line many internal surfaces, including the body’s vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the position, structure and function of the basement membrane?

A
  • Made up of basal lamina + reticular layer

- Adheres to basal surface and underlying tissues to establish the cell’s border and resist stretching

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do you classify epithelia?

A
  • Cell shape

- Number of cell layers between basement membrane and exposed surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the shapes of epithelia cells?

A
  • Squamous
  • Cuboidal
  • Columnar
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does a stratified epithelium mean?

A

There are several layer of cells covering the basement membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does a simple epithelium mean?

A

Only one layer of cells covering the basement membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What does a squamous epithelia mean?

A
  • Cells are thin, flat, somewhat irregular in shape

- Disc shaped nucleus occupies thickest portion of each cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What does a cuboidal epithelia mean?

A
  • Resemble hexagonal boxes from apical surface
  • Appear square in sectional views
  • Spherical nuclei are near the center of each cell
  • Height is somewhat equal to width
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does a columnar epithelia mean?

A
  • Appear rectangular in sectional view
  • Taller and more slender than cuboidal cells
  • Elongated nuclei crowded into narrow band close to basement membrane
  • Height is more than width
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does a transitional epithelia mean?

A
  • Cells can change between squamous and cuboidal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does a pseudostratified epithelia mean?

A
  • Distance between nucleus and exposed surface vary
  • Epithelium appears to be layered or stratified but is actually not
  • Every cell contacts basement membrane
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a simple squamous epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Single-layered and flat = most delicate type of epithelium
  • Located in places where absorption or diffusion takes place or where slippery surfaces reduces friction
  • Fast material exchange and barrier to fluids
  • E.g: lining of thoracic and abdominopelvic body cavities = mesothelium
  • E.g.: lining of heart and blood vessels = endothelium
  • E.g.: Bowman’s capsule
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a simple cuboidal epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Absorption and secretion (kidney tubules)
  • Barrier / covering (ovary)
  • Hormone synthesis, storage and mobilization (thyroid)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a simple columnar epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Secretion of enzymes and mucus
  • Absorption of nutrients and fluids
  • Secretions protect against chemical stresses in stomach and large intestine
  • E.g: jejunum and much of the GI tract
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a pseudostratified columnar epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Typically have cilia
  • Line most of the nasal cavity, trachea, portions of the male reproductive tract
  • Sensory reception (ear, roof of nasal cavity)
  • Mucus secretion (respiratory tract)
  • Particle trapping and removal (respiratory tract)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium relate to its function?

A
  • Generally located where mechanical stresses are severe
  • Protects against physical and chemical attacks
  • Non-keratinized resists abrasion, but will dry out and deteriorate unless kept moist
  • Oral cavity, pharynx, eosophagus, anus, vagina
17
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a stratified squamous keratinised epithelium relate to its function?

A
  • Generally located where mechanical stresses are severe
  • Protects against physical and chemical attacks
  • Filaments of keratin makes it tough and water resistant
  • Skin
18
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a transitional epithelium relate to its function?

A
  • Cells can change shape between being squamous and cuboidal in shape
  • Tolerates repeated cycles of stretching without damage
  • Bladder where large changes in urine volume occur
  • Empty bladder: epithelium cells are cuboidal
  • Full bladder: epithelium cells are flattened (stratified squamous)
19
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a stratified cuboidal epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Relatively rare
  • Ducts of sweat glands and larger ducts of mammary glands
  • Absorb materials and secrete products (water and salt)
20
Q

How do the anatomical locations and salient histological features of a stratified columnar epithelia relate to its function?

A
  • Secrete tears and other fluids (conjunctiva of the eye)
  • Absorb some excess materials produced elsewhere (spermatozoa cytoplasm during spermiation)
  • Protection (prevention of tissues from the deleterious effects of urine - urethra)
21
Q

What are the different types of surface specialization found on epithelial cells?

A
  • Keratin
  • Cilia
  • Goblet cells
  • Club cells
  • Microfold cells
  • Stereocillia
  • Microvilli
22
Q

How is the structure of microvilli related to its function?

A
  • Increase surface area available for absorption

- Located where absorption and secretions take place (digestive system and kidneys)

23
Q

How is the structure of keratin related to its function?

A
  • Prevents water loss and protects against abrasion

- Fibrous proteins which contribute to strength of epidermis

24
Q

How is the structure of stereocilia related to its function?

A
  • Coverts pressure waves into electrical signals
  • Mechanosensing organelles of hair cells which respond to fluid motion for hearing and balance (in inner ear)
  • Facilitate absorption of residual sperm body after spermiation has completed
  • Contain actin and myosin filaments (like cilia)
25
Q

How is the structure of microfold cells related to its function?

A
  • Allows rapid sampling of gut micro flora
  • Trap pathogens and other molecules
  • Present to underlying centric cells that process material
  • Present to lymphocytes and macrophages that reside in a basal pocket that isn’t linked to the basement membrane to raise an immune response or digestion
  • Folded extension that looks like a mushroom cap samples lumen by endocytosis
  • Important for generation of a strong immune response, they also represent a weak point as pathogens use them as a portal of entry
  • Only found in small intestine and very close to lymphatic nodes
26
Q

How is the structure of club cells related to its functions?

A
  • Protect bronchioles and acts as stem cells for respiratory epithelium
  • Found in airway side of terminal bronchioles
  • Have club like apical surfaces, no cilia and no basal bodies
  • Protects bronchiolar epithelium by secreting small variety of products (uteroglobin)
  • Detoxify harmful substances inhaled into the lungs (using cytochrome enzymes)
  • Act as stem cells by multiplying and differentiating into ciliated cells to regenerate bronchiolar epithelium
27
Q

How is the structure of Goblet cells related to its function?

A
  • Mucus secretions, moistens and lubricates
  • Lack cilia on apical surface
  • Have microvilli
  • Release of mucins through exocytosis
  • Water release increased by release of ions
  • Deficiency of chloride ion release results in very sticky and immovable mucous - characteristic of cystic fibrosis
28
Q

How is the structure of cilia related to its function?

A
  • Controls micro-movement of luminal contents
  • Synchronized beating of cilia moves substances over the surface
  • In trachea and bronchi, mucus moves materials to oral cavity where material can be swallowed (mucociliary escalator)

Body Logistics (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions