Which of the following is a property of epithelial tissue? A.) Epithelial tissue is typically unable to regenerate. B.) Epithelial tissue is innervated. C.) Epithelial tissue does not exhibit polarity. D.) Epithelial tissue contains blood vessels.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B.) Epithelial tissue is innervated.
Explanation:
Epithelial tissue is one of the four primary types of tissue in the body, alongside connective, muscle, and nervous tissue. It lines the surfaces and cavities of organs, as well as forming the outer layer of the skin. Each of the provided options relates to key features of epithelial tissue, so let’s evaluate them one by one:
A.) Epithelial tissue is typically unable to regenerate – This is incorrect. Epithelial tissue is actually known for its remarkable ability to regenerate. Cells in epithelial tissue undergo rapid cell division, which allows for repair and replacement of damaged or dead cells. This regenerative capacity is essential for maintaining the integrity of barriers, such as the skin and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
B.) Epithelial tissue is innervated – This is correct. Epithelial tissue is innervated, meaning it has nerve supply. Though epithelial cells do not typically contain blood vessels, they can have nerve fibers that provide sensory functions. For instance, the epithelial cells in the skin (such as those in the epidermis) can respond to stimuli like touch, pain, and temperature due to the presence of nerve endings.
C.) Epithelial tissue does not exhibit polarity – This is incorrect. Epithelial tissue does exhibit polarity. The cells have distinct apical (top) and basal (bottom) surfaces, which play crucial roles in their function. The apical surface typically faces the external environment or the lumen of a body cavity, while the basal surface is attached to a basement membrane. This polarity helps in the proper absorption, secretion, and filtration functions of epithelial cells.
D.) Epithelial tissue contains blood vessels – This is incorrect. Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning it lacks blood vessels. Instead, it relies on diffusion from underlying connective tissue to obtain nutrients and remove waste products. The lack of blood vessels in epithelial tissue is one of the distinguishing features compared to other tissues like connective tissue.
In summary, B.) Epithelial tissue is innervated is the correct option, as epithelial tissue does contain nerve fibers that enable it to perform sensory functions.
