Types of Cells and Tissues

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AP Biology › Types of Cells and Tissues

Questions 1 - 10
1

Specialized cells line the insides of our blood vessels. These cells help control vasoconstriction and vasodilation and play an important role in the permeability of blood vessels. These cells can be calssified as which of the following?

Endothelial cells

Epithelial cells

Nerve cells

Red blood cells

Explanation

Endothelial cells line the insides of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and have many important functions, including but not limited to those described in the question. One additional function of endothelial cells is involvement in blood clotting.

Endothelium generally lines fully internal pathways (such as the vascular system), while epithelium generally lines pathways that are open to the external environment (such as the respiratory and digestive systems). Nerve cells are specialized for signaling, and red blood cells are specialized for oxygen transport.

2

Specialized cells line the insides of our blood vessels. These cells help control vasoconstriction and vasodilation and play an important role in the permeability of blood vessels. These cells can be calssified as which of the following?

Endothelial cells

Epithelial cells

Nerve cells

Red blood cells

Explanation

Endothelial cells line the insides of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels and have many important functions, including but not limited to those described in the question. One additional function of endothelial cells is involvement in blood clotting.

Endothelium generally lines fully internal pathways (such as the vascular system), while epithelium generally lines pathways that are open to the external environment (such as the respiratory and digestive systems). Nerve cells are specialized for signaling, and red blood cells are specialized for oxygen transport.

3

Which of the following is not composed of epithelial cells?

Lining of the chambers of the heart

Lining of intestinal tracts

Alveoli

Skin

Nephron tubules

Explanation

Epithelial cells compose the outside of the body, namely skin and the lining of systems that connect to the outside of the body, such as the respiratory, excretory, and digestive tracts. The stomach is part of the digestive tract, as are the intestines. Knowing that the digestive tract is lined with epithelial cells allows us to eliminate the lining of the intestine from the answer choices. Similarly, the alveoli are a part of the respiratory system and nephrons are part of the excretory system.

The lining of the heart's chambers is part of the vascular lining, which is made of endothelial cells and is not exposed to the outside environment.

4

Which of the following is not composed of epithelial cells?

Lining of the chambers of the heart

Lining of intestinal tracts

Alveoli

Skin

Nephron tubules

Explanation

Epithelial cells compose the outside of the body, namely skin and the lining of systems that connect to the outside of the body, such as the respiratory, excretory, and digestive tracts. The stomach is part of the digestive tract, as are the intestines. Knowing that the digestive tract is lined with epithelial cells allows us to eliminate the lining of the intestine from the answer choices. Similarly, the alveoli are a part of the respiratory system and nephrons are part of the excretory system.

The lining of the heart's chambers is part of the vascular lining, which is made of endothelial cells and is not exposed to the outside environment.

5

Which of the following types of muscle tissue is only found in the heart?

Cardiac

Skeletal

Smooth

Both cardiac and smooth

Explanation

Cardiac muscle tissue is only found in the heart.

6

Which of the following types of muscle tissue is only found in the heart?

Cardiac

Skeletal

Smooth

Both cardiac and smooth

Explanation

Cardiac muscle tissue is only found in the heart.

7

Which of the following is not a function of epithelial tissue?

Muscle contractions

Secretion

Selective absorption

Protection

Explanation

Epithelial tissue acts as a barrier in the human body. The functions of epithelial tissue are broad and include selective absorption, secretion, transport, and protection.

8

When a neuron reaches threshold and fires an action potential, __________ pass through channels into the axon of the cell, causing a __________ in the charge of the cell.

sodium ions . . . increase

sodium ions . . . decrease

potassium ions . . . decrease

potassium ions . . . increase

Explanation

Sodium ions are positively charged (Na+) and enter the neuron starting at the axon hillock, which is where the axon and cell body come together. An influx of positively charged ions will cause the charge of the cell to increase.

When a neuron reaches threshold, it 'fires' an action potential down the axon using charge gradient to drive the propagation towards the axon terminal, where neurotransmitters will be released to relay the signal to the next cell.

Potassium ions are also positively charged (K+), but follow a gradient that promotes efflux over influx due to the equilibrium established by the sodium-potassium pump. As such, potassium flows out of a cells following depolarization, and actually results in the hyperpolarization observed immediately following an action potential.

9

Which of the following is not a function of epithelial tissue?

Muscle contractions

Secretion

Selective absorption

Protection

Explanation

Epithelial tissue acts as a barrier in the human body. The functions of epithelial tissue are broad and include selective absorption, secretion, transport, and protection.

10

When a neuron reaches threshold and fires an action potential, __________ pass through channels into the axon of the cell, causing a __________ in the charge of the cell.

sodium ions . . . increase

sodium ions . . . decrease

potassium ions . . . decrease

potassium ions . . . increase

Explanation

Sodium ions are positively charged (Na+) and enter the neuron starting at the axon hillock, which is where the axon and cell body come together. An influx of positively charged ions will cause the charge of the cell to increase.

When a neuron reaches threshold, it 'fires' an action potential down the axon using charge gradient to drive the propagation towards the axon terminal, where neurotransmitters will be released to relay the signal to the next cell.

Potassium ions are also positively charged (K+), but follow a gradient that promotes efflux over influx due to the equilibrium established by the sodium-potassium pump. As such, potassium flows out of a cells following depolarization, and actually results in the hyperpolarization observed immediately following an action potential.

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