Question

What are epithelial tissues? What is their function and how is that function associated with the features of the tissue?

Answer 1

Epithelial tissues are those tissues that are made up of cells that are in form of sheets and tightly connected to each other,found covering the body and lining the surfaces of blood vessels and cavities of organs throughout the body.

Functions with associated features:

1. To protect the underlying tissues from chemicals, desiccation, toxins, radiation,and physical trauma which is possible due to presence of epithelial cells that are stratified squamous and keratinized.
2. To function in the process of absorption in the digestive tract lining due to presence of cilia.
3. To regulate and excrete chemicals between the underlying tissues and the body cavity with the help of cell junctions.
4. To secrete hormones into the blood vascular system as well as to secrete sweat, mucus, enzymes, and other products with the help of ducts present on glandular epithelium.
5. To detect sensation such as chemosensation, thermoception, and mechanosensation as the epithelial tissues possess  primary cilia.