Epithelial Tissue and Cell Biology Lecture

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the characteristics, structures, and classifications of epithelial tissues as well as key cellular organelles mentioned in the lecture.

Cellularity

A characteristic of epithelial tissue where most of the tissue is comprised of cells with very little extracellular material, looking like a wall of cells.

Cilia

A hair-like structure used to move substances across the surface of the tissue, such as filtering dust in the respiratory system or moving the egg cell in the fallopian tube.

Microvillus

A finger-like structure that catches and absorbs nutrients of the cells.

Tight Junction

A structure that helps glue tissues together, though it is described as not being as tight as desmosomes.

Desmosomes

Very tight junctions that signify a strong connection to hold tissues together.

Hemidesmosomes

Connections that hold the tissue together and specifically connect the epithelial tissue to the matrix cell, particularly the basal lamina.

Basal Lamina

A layer that primarily functions to support the epithelial tissue.

Reticular Lamina

A layer that supports and connects the epithelial tissue and connective tissue.

Polarity

The characteristic of epithelial tissue having sidedness, meaning it has an apical surface and a basal surface.

Apical Surface

The superficial surface of epithelial tissue that is exposed.

Basal Surface

The bottom surface of epithelial tissue that is attached to the basement membrane.

Avascularity

A condition where epithelial tissue does not have any blood vessels within it and thus has no direct blood supply of its own.

Stereocilia

A structure that does not move by itself but moves with the aid of liquid or mucus surrounding it.

Golgi Apparatus

The post office of the cell that receives, modifies, or packs different lipids and proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Nucleus

The brain or control center of the cell.

Mitochondria

The powerhouse of the cell that converts food into chemical energy called $ATP$.

$$ATP$$

Also referred to as adenosine glyphosate, it is the energy required for a cell to perform its function.

Simple Epithelia

A classification of epithelia consisting of a single layer of cells.

Stratified Epithelia

A classification of epithelia consisting of more than one layer of cells.

Pheromones

Secretions that are usually attractive to another human being or to other animals.