Describe the relationship between form and function of epithelial cells?

Answer 1

If Mr. Daniel UK thinks epithelial cells are not very metabolically exciting, someone should remind him that the majority of human cancers are of epithelial origin. This includes breast, colon, and lung cancers. Epithelial cells are extremely specialized depending on which organ they are present. They line the gut, the lungs, and and form the ducts in the female breast. In the gut they form a polarized layer of cells which is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and water into the body. In the lungs they produce mucus which protects the respiratory tract, and in the breast, they produce milk. Colon, breast, and lung carcinomas all arise from cells of epithelial origin.

Answer 2

I don't know how many marks this question is for, but I would go for the following remarks as a good start:

Epithelial cells form the barrier between two environments, and, depending on whether materials need to be removed from one side to the other quickly against a concentration gradient or simply along a concentration gradient, can be cuboidal or columnar and microvillated to give a large SA ( along with many mitochondria ) or squamous ( flattened with a large SA/vol ratio ) respectively. An example of squamous epithelial cells are those in the alveoli; an example of microvillated columnar epithelium is the epithelial cells forming the lining of the small intestine.

There are several types of epithelium and I haven't mentioned them all, however this would be a good starting point, I think.

Answer 3

Epithelial cells form sheets... of fairly simple cells. can be squamous, columnar, some others can't remember. They give organs structure but not very metabolically exciting
Important thing is they form a barrier between external and internal environments. To do this they form close contacts between cells. Impermeable 'tight junctions'. Can look like a football pattern.
Their apical and basal surfaces will also have different properties.
Apical 'outside' surface will move certain metabolites in and others out. The basal surface will move other metabolites in and out. Part of homoeostasis.
Another thing might be their capacity to divide. Can dramatically increase their division rate in response to injury....
good luck

Answer 4

no