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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Which of the Following Is True About Epithelia? Quiz

Quick, free quiz to test epithelial tissue properties. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Chiara TrojanoUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for epithelial tissue quiz showing layered cells polarity, avascularity on dark blue background

This quiz helps you check what is true about epithelia, including polarity, surfaces, and avascularity. Get quick feedback as you sort true statements and common traps. For more practice, try our epithelial tissue histology quiz and histology function and location quiz, or broaden your review with a cell types quiz.

Which of the following is a characteristic of epithelial tissue?
They are avascular
They lack a basement membrane
They have abundant extracellular matrix
Cells are loosely arranged
Epithelial tissues are avascular, meaning they do not contain blood vessels and rely on diffusion for nutrient and waste exchange. They have minimal extracellular matrix and cells are tightly packed. A basement membrane separates the epithelium from underlying connective tissue.
Which feature describes the polarity of epithelial cells?
Apical surface differs from basal surface
Polarity refers to cell junction strength
Polarity is defined by blood vessel orientation
All surfaces have identical structures
Epithelial cells exhibit polarity with an apical (top) surface specialized for absorption or secretion and a basal (bottom) surface attached to the basement membrane. This polarity is essential for directional transport and barrier functions. Disruption of polarity can impair tissue function.
What structure anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue?
Basement membrane
Endomysium
Perichondrium
Periosteum
The basement membrane is a thin extracellular layer that supports and anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue. It consists of basal lamina and reticular lamina. It also regulates cell behavior and filtration.
Which term describes an epithelium with a single cell layer?
Transitional epithelium
Pseudostratified epithelium
Stratified epithelium
Simple epithelium
Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells, allowing for efficient diffusion, absorption, and filtration. In contrast, stratified epithelium has multiple layers for protection. Pseudostratified appears layered but all cells touch the basement membrane.
Which cell shape is characteristic of cuboidal epithelium?
Cells change shape upon stretching
Cells are much wider than tall
Cells are much taller than wide
Height and width are approximately equal
Cuboidal epithelial cells are roughly cube-shaped, with height and width being about the same. Squamous cells are wider than tall, while columnar cells are taller than wide. Transitional cells can change shape when stretched.
Which epithelium type lines the urinary bladder and allows stretching?
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Stratified cuboidal epithelium
Transitional epithelium
Transitional epithelium has multiple layers of cells that can change shape when the bladder fills or empties. Umbrella cells at the surface prevent urine from diffusing into underlying tissues. This specialized feature protects the bladder wall.
What primary function do epithelial tissues serve?
Storage of energy reserves
Contraction to produce movement
Coverage and protection of body surfaces
Transmission of electrical impulses
Epithelial tissues cover body surfaces and line cavities, providing protection, absorption, secretion, and filtration. Muscle tissue is responsible for contraction, nervous tissue handles impulse transmission, and connective tissue stores energy.
Which property allows epithelial tissue to regenerate quickly?
Extensive support by collagen fibers
High mitotic rate of its cells
Presence of cartilage matrix
Rich blood supply within the tissue
Epithelial cells have a high rate of mitosis, enabling rapid regeneration and repair after injury. Although epithelia are avascular, they rely on diffusion from underlying connective tissue. This regenerative ability is crucial for maintaining barriers.
What structure increases the surface area of epithelial cells for absorption?
Microvilli
Desmosomes
Hemidesmosomes
Cilia
Microvilli are finger-like projections of the plasma membrane that greatly increase surface area for absorption, especially in the small intestine. Cilia are motile structures for movement of fluids or particles, while desmosomes and hemidesmosomes are adhesive junctions.
Which epithelium lines most of the respiratory tract and has goblet cells?
Transitional epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium
Pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium lines the trachea and bronchi, featuring cilia to move mucus and goblet cells to secrete it. All cells touch the basement membrane but nuclei appear at different levels.
How do exocrine glands differ from endocrine glands?
Exocrine glands release hormones into blood
Exocrine glands secrete via ducts to surfaces
Endocrine glands have ducts
Endocrine glands always secrete digestive enzymes
Exocrine glands release their secretions through ducts onto epithelial surfaces (e.g., sweat, saliva), while endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream without ducts. This distinction is fundamental in physiology.
Which junction prevents passage of materials between epithelial cells?
Adherens junction
Gap junction
Tight junction
Desmosome
Tight junctions (zonula occludens) seal adjacent epithelial cells near their apical surface to prevent leakage of molecules between them. Gap junctions allow communication, desmosomes provide mechanical strength, and adherens junctions anchor cells.
The surface of the ovary is covered by which epithelium?
Simple cuboidal epithelium
Stratified squamous epithelium
Simple squamous epithelium
Pseudostratified columnar epithelium
The germinal epithelium of the ovary is simple cuboidal, forming a single layer of cube-shaped cells. It covers the ovarian surface and is involved in ovulation.
Where is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium found?
Lining of the intestines
Epidermis of the skin
Bronchioles of the lung
Lining of the esophagus
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium forms the outer layer of the skin (epidermis), where keratin provides a tough, waterproof barrier. The esophagus has non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
Stratified columnar epithelium is found in which location?
Gallbladder mucosa
Small intestine lining
Part of the male urethra
Tracheal lining
Stratified columnar epithelium is rare and found in parts of the male urethra and large ducts of some glands. Its multiple layers protect while the top columnar cells can secrete.
Which epithelium lines the serous cavities (peritoneum, pleura, pericardium)?
Endothelium
Simple columnar epithelium
Transitional epithelium
Mesothelium
Mesothelium is a simple squamous epithelium derived from mesoderm that lines serous cavities like the peritoneum, pleura, and pericardium. It secretes lubricating serous fluid. Endothelium lines blood vessels.
Endothelium is a specialized epithelium that lines:
Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
Urinary bladder
Joint cavities
Glandular ducts
Endothelium is a simple squamous epithelium lining the interior surfaces of blood and lymphatic vessels, providing a smooth surface for fluid flow and regulating vascular functions. It differs from mesothelium by location.
Which type of collagen is a major component of the basal lamina?
Type III collagen
Type I collagen
Type IV collagen
Type II collagen
Type IV collagen forms a network structure within the basal lamina, providing structural support and filtration properties. Other collagen types form fibrillar networks in connective tissues.
Which glandular secretion type involves the entire cell disintegrating?
Holocrine secretion
Apocrine secretion
Endocrine secretion
Merocrine secretion
In holocrine secretion, entire cells accumulate secretory products and then rupture, releasing cell fragments and contents (e.g., sebaceous glands). Merocrine glands secrete via exocytosis, and apocrine glands pinched off part of the cell.
Goblet cells are unicellular exocrine glands found in which epithelium?
Stratified squamous epithelium of the skin
Simple columnar epithelium of the intestine
Transitional epithelium of the bladder
Pseudostratified epithelium of the trachea
Goblet cells are interspersed among simple columnar epithelial cells in the intestinal lining, secreting mucus to lubricate and protect the mucosal surface. They are unicellular exocrine glands.
Which cells on the surface of transitional epithelium protect against urine leakage?
Goblet cells
Umbrella cells
Intermediate cells
Basal cells
Umbrella cells are large, dome-shaped cells on the apical surface of transitional epithelium that form a tight barrier to prevent urine from penetrating underlying tissues. They can flatten when stretched.
Stratified cuboidal epithelium is most commonly found in:
Small intestine
Kidney glomeruli
Lining of blood vessels
Sweat gland ducts
Stratified cuboidal epithelium lines the ducts of sweat glands, mammary glands, and salivary glands, providing protective and secretory functions. It consists of two or more layers of cube-shaped cells.
Which layer of the basement membrane is predominantly secreted by epithelial cells?
Lamina densa
Lamina lucida
Reticular lamina
Fibroreticular layer
The lamina lucida (also called the clear layer) is secreted mainly by epithelial cells and lies just beneath the cell membrane. The lamina densa is produced by both epithelium and connective tissue, while the reticular lamina originates from connective tissue.
Which intermediate filament protein is a marker for epithelial cells?
Neurofilament
Desmin
Cytokeratin
Vimentin
Cytokeratins are intermediate filament proteins found exclusively in epithelial cells and are used as immunohistochemical markers to identify epithelial origin. Desmin is in muscle, vimentin in mesenchymal cells, and neurofilament in neurons.
Epithelial - mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial in:
Tight junction formation
Keratin production in skin
Cancer metastasis and embryonic development
Goblet cell mucus secretion
EMT is a process where epithelial cells lose polarity and adhesion to become migratory mesenchymal cells. This is vital during embryonic development and contributes to cancer metastasis by enabling tumor cells to invade.
Which junction connects intermediate filaments between epithelial cells?
Adherens junction
Gap junction
Desmosome
Tight junction
Desmosomes are adhesive junctions that anchor intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton in adjacent epithelial cells, providing mechanical strength. Tight junctions seal cells, gap junctions allow communication, and adherens junctions link actin filaments.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Epithelial Tissue Characteristics -

    Recognize the fundamental features of epithelial tissues, including cellularity, polarity, and specialized contacts.

  2. Explain Polarity and Avascularity -

    Describe how epithelial cells exhibit apical-basal polarity and understand the significance of their avascular nature in nutrient exchange.

  3. Differentiate Epithelial Tissue Types -

    Distinguish between simple and stratified epithelia, as well as squamous, cuboidal, and columnar cell shapes based on structure and layering.

  4. Analyze Structure - Function Relationships -

    Assess how variations in epithelial structure support specific functions such as protection, absorption, and secretion.

  5. Apply Knowledge in Quiz Questions -

    Use your understanding of epithelial tissue characteristics to answer "which of the following is true about epithelial" style trivia accurately.

  6. Evaluate Clinical and Biological Examples -

    Interpret real-world scenarios involving epithelial tissues to reinforce your grasp of structure, function, and tissue trivia.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Polarity -

    Epithelial tissues display clear apical and basal surfaces, a fundamental feature in the structure and function of epithelial tissue. The apical surface often bears microvilli for increased absorption, while the basal side anchors to the basement membrane via integrin proteins (Source: University of Michigan Histology). Mnemonic: "ABCs" - Apical is the Crown, Basal is the Base.

  2. Cellularity & Specialized Contacts -

    Epithelial tissue is highly cellular, meaning cells are tightly packed with minimal extracellular matrix, which contributes to protective barriers. Specialized junctions like tight junctions seal cells together to regulate paracellular transport, while desmosomes provide strong adhesion (Source: Tortora & Derrickson). Use the phrase "Seal & Stick" to recall tight junctions (seal) and desmosomes (stick).

  3. Basement Membrane -

    The basement membrane is a two-layered scaffold composed of the basal lamina and reticular lamina that provides support and anchors epithelial tissue to underlying connective tissue. Key proteins such as collagen IV and laminin offer both structural integrity and signaling cues (Source: Ross & Pawlina). Visualize a "molecular carpet" guiding both structure and cell behavior.

  4. Avascularity -

    Epithelial tissue lacks blood vessels (avascular) and depends on diffusion from underlying connective tissue for nutrients and oxygen (Source: Guyton & Hall). For quiz questions asking which of the following is true about epithelial tissue's blood supply, remember they rely on nearby capillaries rather than their own vessel network. To recall this quickly, think "Nerves Without Vessels."

  5. High Regenerative Capacity -

    Epithelial cells often exhibit rapid mitotic division, enabling quick repair after injury; for example, skin epithelia renew every 2 - 4 weeks (Source: Junqueira's Basic Histology). This high turnover reflects their protective role and constant exposure to wear and tear. Memorize "EPIC" - Epithelia Proliferate In Continuum.

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