Understanding Epithelial Tissue: Structure, Functions, and Cellular Connections

Anatomy

Biology

NGSS

AP Bio

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| Questions: 17 | Updated: Oct 30, 2025

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1. What are the primary functions of Epithelial Tissue?

Covers the surface of the body. Lines hollow organs, cavaties and ducts. Forms the glands of the body

Provides structural support and protection to bones and muscles.

Transmits electrical impulses throughout the body.

Aids in digestion and absorption of nutrients in the small intestine.

Epithelial tissue primarily functions in covering surfaces of the body, lining hollow organs and cavities, and forming glands. The incorrect options do not accurately describe the functions of epithelial tissue.

Explanation

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About This Quiz

Understanding Epithelial Tissue: Structure, Functions, And Cellular Connections - Quiz

Explore the structure and function of epithelial tissue with this focused study resource. Understand different types of epithelial cells, their roles in the body, and their significance in health and disease. Ideal for students and professionals in biology and health sciences.

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2. Does epithelial tissue contain nerves and blood vessels?

It contains blood vessels but no nerves.

It is completely devoid of both nerves and blood vessels.

It contains both nerves and blood vessels.

It contains nerves but no blood vessels (avascular)

Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning it does not contain blood vessels, but it does contain nerve endings.

Explanation

Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning it does not contain blood vessels, but it does contain nerve endings.

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3. What are the names of the 5 cell junctions which hold the epithelial cells together?

Nexus junctions

Strand junctions

Ring junctions

Tight junctions, gap junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, adherens junctions

Tight junctions, gap junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and adherens junctions are the specific types of cell junctions responsible for holding epithelial cells together. Nexus junctions, strand junctions, and ring junctions are not recognized as legitimate names for cell junctions involved in cell adhesion.

Explanation

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4. What is the function of the Basement Membrane?

Regulates hormone production in the endocrine system.

Supports the epithelium. Provides a surface along which epithelial cells migrate during growth and wound healing. Acts as a physical... Supports the epithelium. Provides a surface along which epithelial cells migrate during growth and wound healing. Acts as a physical barrier.

Aids in digestion in the gastrointestinal tract.

Transports oxygen in the body.

The Basement Membrane is specifically responsible for supporting the epithelium, providing a surface for cell migration, and acting as a physical barrier. The incorrect answers are not functions of the Basement Membrane.

Explanation

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5. Name and describe the two parts that make up the basement membrane.

Basal lamina which is secreted by overlying epithelia and contains collagen and laminin. Reticular lamina which is produced by underlying... Basal lamina which is secreted by overlying epithelia and contains collagen and laminin. Reticular lamina which is produced by underlying connective tissues and contains fibrous proteins

Epidermal layer which is the outermost layer of the skin and contains keratinocytes. Superficial lamina which is secreted by sweat... Epidermal layer which is the outermost layer of the skin and contains keratinocytes. Superficial lamina which is secreted by sweat glands and contains elastin.

Submucosa which is composed of loose connective tissue and nerve fibers. Subepithelial layer which is the uppermost layer of the... Submucosa which is composed of loose connective tissue and nerve fibers. Subepithelial layer which is the uppermost layer of the basement membrane and is formed by adipocytes.

Lamina propria which is a type of connective tissue and includes adipose cells. Matrix lamina which is formed by cartilage... Lamina propria which is a type of connective tissue and includes adipose cells. Matrix lamina which is formed by cartilage and contains chondrocytes.

The correct answer describes the basal lamina and reticular lamina, which are the two main components of the basement membrane. The incorrect answers provided do not accurately describe the components of the basement membrane or their functions.

Explanation

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6. Define Tissue.

A group of molecules bonded together.

A single cell with a specific function.

A group of organs working together in the body.

A tissue is a group of cells that usually have a common origin in an embryo and function together to... A tissue is a group of cells that usually have a common origin in an embryo and function together to carry out specialised functions

Tissue is specifically defined as a group of cells with a common origin and specialized function, ruling out the definitions provided in the incorrect answers.

Explanation

Tissue is specifically defined as a group of cells with a common origin and specialized function, ruling out the definitions provided in the incorrect answers.

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7. Define Cell junctions.

A junction box used in electrical wiring connections.

A type of computer software used for editing cells in a spreadsheet.

A contact point between plasma membranes of adjacent tissue cells

A telecommunications network designed for cellular phone communication.

Cell junctions refer to the contact points between plasma membranes of adjacent tissue cells, allowing for communication and coordination between cells.

Explanation

Cell junctions refer to the contact points between plasma membranes of adjacent tissue cells, allowing for communication and coordination between cells.

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8. Name the two types of Epithelial Tissue.

Skeletal & Muscular Epithelia

Covering & Lining Epithelia. Glandular Epithelia

Fibrous & Elastic Epithelia

Cardiac & Smooth Epithelia

The correct answer includes Covering & Lining Epithelia and Glandular Epithelia as the two types of Epithelial Tissue. The incorrect answers provided do not accurately represent the types of Epithelial Tissue.

Explanation

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9. Which type of Epithelia Tissue forms the outer covering of the skin and some internal organs, and forms the lining of the blood vessels, ducts, body cavities and the interior of the respiratory digestive, urinary and reproductive systems?

Glandular Epithelia

Ciliated Epithelia

Transitional Epithelia

Covering and Lining Epithelia

Covering and Lining Epithelia is the type of epithelial tissue that covers and protects various structures in the body, including the skin and internal organs. It also lines the interior of various systems like the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

Explanation

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10. Which type of Epithelial tissue makes up the secreting portion of glands like the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and sweat gland?

Ciliated Epithelia

Glandular Epithelia

Squamous Epithelia

Columnar Epithelia

Glandular epithelia are specialized epithelial cells that secrete substances into the glandular lumen or ducts.

Explanation

Glandular epithelia are specialized epithelial cells that secrete substances into the glandular lumen or ducts.

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11. What is the difference between stratified and pseudostratified tissue?

Stratified tissue appears to have multiple layers while pseudostratified tissue truly consists of multiple layers.

Pseudostratified tissue is found in skin while stratified tissue is found in respiratory passages.

Stratified consists of two or more layers, whereas pseudostratified just appears to have multiple layers when actually all cells rest... Stratified consists of two or more layers, whereas pseudostratified just appears to have multiple layers when actually all cells rest on the basement membrane

Pseudostratified tissue consists of multiple layers while stratified tissue only has one layer.

Stratified tissue refers to tissue with two or more layers of cells stacked on top of each other, while pseudostratified tissue appears to have multiple layers due to the varying heights of its cells, though all cells actually touch the basement membrane. The incorrect answers provided in the multiple-choice options aim to confuse by stating the opposite or providing irrelevant information about the two types of tissues.

Explanation

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12. Which type of cells are taller than they are wide?

Squamous

Cuboidal

Columnar

Round

Columnar cells are taller than they are wide, providing more surface area for absorption and secretion.

Explanation

Columnar cells are taller than they are wide, providing more surface area for absorption and secretion.

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13. Which type of cells are flat, cubodial or squamous?

Squamous

Cubodial

Columnar

Transitional

Squamous cells are flat, while cubodial cells are cube-shaped, columnar cells are tall and rectangular, and transitional cells can change shape depending on the tissue they are found in.

Explanation

Squamous cells are flat, while cubodial cells are cube-shaped, columnar cells are tall and rectangular, and transitional cells can change shape depending on the tissue they are found in.

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14. Which cell type most commonly lines the cardiovascular system, where it is known as endothelium? Present at sites of filtration, diffusion and secretion but not wear and tear?

Columnar Epithelium

Simple Squamous

Cuboidal Epithelium

Stratified Squamous

The correct answer is Simple Squamous because it is the type of epithelial cell that lines the cardiovascular system and is known as endothelium. It is present at sites of filtration, diffusion, and secretion but not wear and tear.

Explanation

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15. Which cell type is a single layer of cube-shaped cells, found in areas of secretion and absorption such as the surface of ovaries, kidney tubules and ducts and the secreting portions of some glands?

Squamous

Columnar

Stratified Cuboidal

Simple Cubodial

Simple Cuboidal epithelial cells are cube-shaped cells that are involved in secretion and absorption in various tissues.

Explanation

Simple Cuboidal epithelial cells are cube-shaped cells that are involved in secretion and absorption in various tissues.

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16. In terms of the structural differences between epithelial tissue and connective tissue, in which tissue are the cells tightly packed with little to no extracellular matrix?

Epithelial Tissue. In connective tissue a large amount of extracellular matrix separates widely scattered cells

Nervous Tissue

Muscle Tissue

Connective Tissue

Epithelial tissue is characterized by closely packed cells with little to no extracellular matrix, whereas connective tissue has widely scattered cells surrounded by a large amount of extracellular matrix. Muscle tissue consists of muscle fibers and nervous tissue is made up of neurons, both of which have different structural compositions compared to epithelial and connective tissues.

Explanation

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17. Epithelial tissues always form surface layers and are not covered by other tissues except in......

Blood vessels, where blood passes over the epithelium

Connective tissues, where collagen and elastin fibers are embedded within the epithelium.

Muscle tissues, where muscle fibers are attached to the epithelium.

Nervous tissues, where nerve impulses are transmitted through the epithelium.

Epithelial tissues typically line the cavities and surfaces of blood vessels to protect them and allow substances to pass through. In contrast, muscle tissues, nervous tissues, and connective tissues do not cover epithelial tissues as they have different functions in the body.

Explanation

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