All High School Biology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Epithelium And Endothelium
What type of epithelial tissue consists of thin, flattened cells, that are one layer thick and allow for the movement of substances into an out of the alveoli and capillaries?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Simple columnar epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Epithelial tissue forms membranes that cover the body, as well as lines body cavities and glands. Simple squamous epithelium consists of thin, flattened cells, that are one layer thick and allow for the easy movement of substances. This is especially important for gas exchange in the alveoli of the lungs and in the capillaries of the body. The minimal barrier provided by simple squamous epithelium allows molecules to easily diffuse across the membranes.
Stratified squamous epithelium is many layers thick and forms the skin and lining of mucous membranes. Simple cuboidal epithelium functions in absorption and secretion in the kidney tubules and salivary glands. Simple columnar epithelium forms a thick layer that lines the esophagus, stomach, intestines, and uterus. Pseudostratified columnar epithelium possess beating cilia and transport particles in the respiratory tract and reporductive system.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Types Of Epithelial Cells
Which epithelial cells are located in the respiratory tract and have hairlike projections?
Stratified
Transitional
Squamous
Cuboidal
Ciliated
Ciliated
Ciliated epithelium are located in the respiratory tract. There are hair-like processes, cilia, located on the surface that wave and function to sweep materials, such as mucous and dust, across the surface. Cuboidal epithelial calls are as high as they are wide. Cuboidal cells line the ducts of glands and organs and function in the absorption and transportation of substances. Squamous epithelial cells are flat and allow substances to freely move across their surface. These cells are located in the lungs and the kidneys. Stratified epithelial cells form layers, with mitosis taking place in the lowest layer. Skin is formed from stratified epithelial cells. Transitional epithelial cells adjust to mechanical changes such as stretching. This type of tissue is found only in the urinary system.
Example Question #2 : Epithelium And Endothelium
Epithelial cells are found in a number of tissues throughout the body. They are found in a number of shapes, specialized to their location and function.
Which type of epithelial cell makes up the outermost layer of skin?
Stratified squamous epithelial cells
Ciliated pseudostratified epithelial cells
Columnar epithelial cells
Pseudostratified squamous epithelial cells
Cuboidal epithelial cells
Stratified squamous epithelial cells
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium makes up the outer layer of skin. Other types of epithelial tissues are found throughout the digestive and reproductive tracts, and other areas of the body.
Example Question #2 : Epithelium And Endothelium
Which of the following would be found in capillaries?
Pseudostratified epithelium
Transitional epithelium
All of these
Stratified epithelium
Simple epithelium
Simple epithelium
Since capillaries are the site of diffusion of substances (oxygen and carbon dioxide, for example), they need to have extremely thin walls. Their walls are made of simple (single-layered) epithelium. The other options would be too thick to facilitate diffusion of substances.
Example Question #3 : Epithelium And Endothelium
Where would one expect to find simple columnar epithelium with microvilli?
Esophagus
Small intestine
Thyroid gland
Skin
Bones of the skull
Small intestine
Since we are looking for a single layer of cells, we must rule out any area of the body that is subject to lots of friction. The skin is continually being rubbed and pushed by everything we touch, and the esophagus sustains abrasions from all the food we eat.
Microvilli are tiny projections on the apical surface of cells that increase the cell surface area. Since most of the absorption of food and nutrients occurs in the small intestine, it makes sense that we would want to increase the surface area of that region. Furthermore, since we are absorbing, we would want a single layer of cells to facilitate the diffusion of substances across the layer of epithelium. Thus, the correct answer is that simple columnar epithelium with microvilli will be found in the small intestine.
Example Question #4 : Understanding Types Of Epithelial Cells
Where would one expect to find stratified squamous epithelium?
Esophagus
Skin
Tongue
All of these
Vagina
All of these
All of these areas of the body are subject to lots of friction. Thus, there would be multiple (stratified) layers of epithelium lining them.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Properties Of Epithelium
Which of the following is NOT a property of epithelial tissue?
Basement membranes
Tight junctions
Vasculature
Innervation
Vasculature
An epithelia is a sheet of cells that are closely associated. Cells within an epithelium are polarized, indicating that the cells have a "direction". One side of the epithelium is called "apical" while the other side is "basal." The apical region is oriented toward a lumen, while the basal region is oriented toward a basement membrane associated with connective tissue. Cells within an epithelium are innervated, but not vascularized; therefore, they must receive signals through other methods of intercellular signaling, such as tight junctions.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Properties Of Epithelium
The epidermis is composed of which type of epithelium?
Simple squamous epithelium
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
Stratified columnar epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
The epidermis is composed of five layers of flattened epithelial cells. This stratified squamous epithelium allows the skin to be a barrier for the body and prevent pathogens and foreign materials from entering.
Stratified epithelium has multiple layers, and squamous epithelium is flattened.
Example Question #3 : Understanding Properties Of Epithelium
Which of the following is not a function of the epithelium?
Production of germ cells
Protection
Absorption
Transmission of impulses
Secretion
Transmission of impulses
Nervous tissues such as the brain, spinal cord, and nerves function to transmit impulses for coordination, sensory reception, and motor actions. Epithelial tissue protects (skin), secretes (glands), absorbs (kidneys), and produces germ cells (embryo).
Example Question #3 : Understanding Properties Of Epithelium
Which of the of the following is not a property of epithelium?
Has distinct upper and lower surfaces
Supported by blood cells
Is almost entirely made up of cells
Is supported via connective tissue
Supported by blood cells
Epithelium describes the inner and outer surfaces of the body including; the skin, colons, and the stomach. These surfaces have distinct upper and lower sides, are kept in place by connective tissue, and are made up almost entirely of cells. However, they are not supported by blood cells.