University of Texas Medical Branch

Cell Biology Graduate Program

| Question 1. | Question 2 |  Question 3. |

| Question 4. |  Question 5. |  Question 6. | Question 7. |

| Question 8. | Question 9. | Question 10. |

| Question 11. | Question 12. |

| Question 13.| Question 14 | Question 15 | Question 16 |

| Question 17 | Question 18 |

Think about how you might design an epithelial tissue in terms of cell size, shape, layers, surface specializations, or polarity to solve the following problems:

• A) passive transport of ions and water across the cells
• B) active transport of ions across cells
• C) absorption and transport of proteins and lipids from the lumen of the organ or body cavity to the inside of the cell
• D) protect the body from substances that enter that cavity
• E) movement of molecules across the surface of the epithelium
• F) secretion of substances into the body cavity
• G) secretion of substances into the blood stream
• H) allow distention of the organ
• I) replacement of surface cells in that epithelium

1) If you were to design a generic epithelium, what common features would you add?

2) Epithelia can be classified by the number of layers of cells. Why would a particular organ need a multilayered epithelium ? Name the single vs multilayered subtypes.

3) Epithelia are also classified by the shape of the cells. These shapes help the cells perform their functions. What might be the significance of a flattened shape vs a cube or columnar shape?

4) Define a polarized cell. Why would polarity be important to an epithelium?

5) What specializations would you find at the apical surface? Define the function of each.

6) Name the specializations along the lateral surface? Why are they critical to the barrier function of epithelia?

7) How is the basal surface of some epithelia specialized?

8) What factors are important in regeneration and repair of epithelia?