AP Biology : Understanding Epithelial and Endothelial Cells
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following best describes the specialized role of squamous cells, as compared to other epithelial cell morphologies?
Secretion and absorption
Mucus secretion
Line surfaces for simple diffusion
Sensory reception
Line surfaces for simple diffusion
Squamous cells are flat and wide. Both stratified and simple squamous epithelia will form smooth and flat surfaces that are specialized for the simple diffusion across the layer. Squamous cells are found in lung epithelia, the lining of blood vessels, and in the lining of body cavities.
Example Question #12 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following is not true regarding the morphology of epithelial cuboidal cells?
The height and width are equal
Nuclei are round
They are cube-shaped
Nuclei are elongated
Nuclei are elongated
Cuboidal epithelial cells are one category of epithelial cell types. These cells have equal height and width; therefore, they are cube-shaped. They possess round nuclei and are typically involved in secretion and absorption. Cuboidal epithelial cells are located in the exocrine system.
Example Question #11 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following is true regarding the morphology of epithelial columnar cells?
All of these
They are pillar-like
Nuclei are elongated
Height is greater than the width
All of these
Epithelial columnar cells represent one type of epithelial cell morphology. Columnar cells are taller than they are wide, have elongated nuclei, and are pillar-like. Epithelial columnar cells play a role in the digestive system and are important in sensory reception.
Example Question #14 : Types Of Cells And Tissues
Which of the following best describes where epithelial columnar cells are not found in the human body?
Lining of the intestine
Tongue
Ear
Lining of blood vessels
Lining of blood vessels
Epithelial columnar cells secrete digestive enzymes and absorb food in the digestive system and they also play a role in sensory reception. Epithelial columnar cells can be found in the tongue, ear, and the lining of the intestine.
Example Question #12 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following is true regarding the transitional epithelial cells?
They can transition among morphologies due to degree of tension
They are located in between layers of stratified epithelium
They merge into the basement membrane
They are the same as pseudostratified epithelial cells
They can transition among morphologies due to degree of tension
Transitional epithelial cells are able to expand and contract based on the degree of tension. This transition to a different morphology depends on the cell layer in which the transitional cells are located.
Example Question #13 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following best describes pseudostratified epithelial cells?
They can be easily confused with stratified epithelia
They may change morphology based on tension
Nuclei may be at different heights
They are layers of squamous cells
Nuclei may be at different heights
Pseudostratified epithelial cells are single layers of cells—simple epithelium—that may be easily confused as a stratified epithelium. This confusion arises from the cross section, which shows nuclei located at different heights. As a result, it appears as if pseudostratified epithelial cells are multiple cell layers.
Example Question #14 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following is true regarding simple epithelia?
Simple epithelia change morphology based on tension
Not all cells have contact with the basement membrane
Simple epithelia are only one cell layer thick
Only cuboidal cells can be present in simple epithelia
Simple epithelia are only one cell layer thick
Simple epithelia are epithelial tissue that is only one cell layer thick; therefore, each cell has direct contact with the basement membrane. All epithelial cell morphologies can be found in simple epithelia.
Example Question #15 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following is true regarding the structure of stratified epithelia?
It is composed of two or more layers of epithelial cells
Stratified epithelia are layers of cuboidal cells
It is a single layer of epithelial cells
It is a layer of cells made of epithelial cells of multiple morphologies
It is composed of two or more layers of epithelial cells
Stratified epithelia consist of two or more layers of epithelial cells. They plan an important role in protection from chemical and mechanical forces. Stratified epithelia are specialized into keratinized and transitional layers.
Example Question #11 : Types Of Cells And Tissues
Which of the following best describes the main functions of simple epithelium?
Absorption and filtration
Protection from mechanical forces
Protection from chemical forces
None of these
Absorption and filtration
Simple epithelia are layers of epithelial cells that are one cell thick. Simple epithelia are only composed of a monolayer of cells; therefore, their main functions are absorption and filtration.
Example Question #16 : Understanding Epithelial And Endothelial Cells
Which of the following best describes the order of the tissues associated with the basement membrane?
Basement membrane, outer tissue, bone
Outer tissue, basement membrane, connective tissue
Basement membrane, connective tissue, outer tissue
Basement membrane, outer tissue, connective tissue
Outer tissue, basement membrane, connective tissue
The basement membrane is a matrix of cells that separates the outer tissue from the connective tissue. It functions as a barrier to prevent deep penetration and also anchors down the outer tissues (e.g. the epithelium).
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