What is NOT a characteristic of the epidermis of the skin?
A) it is made up of simple swuamos epithelial tissue
B)it is made of stratisfIed squamos epithelial tissue
C) it contains keratinized tissue
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A) it is made up of simple squamous epithelial tissue.
The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, and it plays an essential role in protecting the body from environmental damage, such as pathogens, UV radiation, and physical injury. One of its key features is that it is composed of stratified squamous epithelial tissue, not simple squamous epithelial tissue.
Explanation:
The epidermis consists mainly of stratified squamous epithelium, which is a type of tissue composed of multiple layers of cells. This arrangement allows the skin to withstand mechanical stress, preventing injury from abrasions and other external factors. The uppermost layer of the epidermis contains cells that are flattened and keratinized, making it tough and waterproof. The keratin helps to prevent water loss and provides additional protection.
On the other hand, simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of flat cells. This type of tissue is more commonly found in areas where rapid diffusion or filtration occurs, such as the lining of blood vessels (endothelium), the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli), and the kidney glomeruli. The characteristics of simple squamous epithelium are not suitable for the protective function required in the epidermis.
Additionally, the epidermis contains keratinized tissue. As cells move from the basal layers of the epidermis to the surface, they undergo a process called keratinization, where they accumulate keratin, a protein that hardens and waterproofs the cells. This is vital for the skin’s role as a barrier against dehydration and infection.
To summarize, the epidermis is made up of stratified squamous epithelium and contains keratinized cells, which are crucial for its protective functions, unlike simple squamous epithelium, which is not found in the epidermis.