Learning Material Unit 2

Module Title: Cell 2 Part 2

Nominal Duration: 14 hours
By the end of this lesson, students will understand the structure, function,
and location of epithelial tissues in the body. They will identify the role of
epithelial tissues in protection, absorption, and sensation, and explain the
function of columnar epithelia in secretion and absorption. Additionally,
students will recognize the importance of specialized structures like tight
junctions in epithelial cells.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this lesson, you MUST be able to:
1. Describe the structure and characteristics of epithelial tissue, including the
arrangement of cells and extracellular matrix.
2. Identify the different types of epithelial tissue, with an emphasis on columnar
epithelium, and understand their roles in active absorption and secretion.
3. Discuss the locations of various epithelial tissues in the body and their specific
functions in different organs and systems.

I. Tissue Types
○ This type of tissue is commonly seen outside the body as coverings or as
linings of organs and cavities.
○ They are characterized by closely-joined cells with tight junctions (i.e., a type
of cell modification). It is made up of polygonal cells nearly placed together
with very few or no extracellular matrix.
○ Their functions include shielding the organ against harmful infectious agents
(e.g. skin), uptake and pre-metabolism of nutrients/drugs (e.g. intestine), the
sensation (e.g. neuroepithelium).

II. Types of Epithelial Tissue

Columnar Epithelia, which have cells with relatively large cytoplasmic volumes,
are oftenlocated where secretion or active absoption of substances is an
important function.

○ Simple Epithelium – has only

one layer of cells classified as
squamous, columnar and
 cuboidal, where the shape and structure are the bases.
○ Simple Cuboidal Epithelium – It has a round nucleus. It has a box-
shaped structure with brush border in its cell lining, usually found in
the kidneys and the thyroid gland.
○ Function: secretion.

○ Simple Columnar Epithelium - It has a brick- shaped cells. Cylindrical

with a noticeable height plus a striated border. It has goblet cells
that secrete mucus, normally found in the stomach.
○ Function: for secretion and active absorption


 Part For The Digestive System

○ Basal Nucleus of a simple Columnar Epithelium - One layer building like
structure, the height of the cell is higher
○ Goblet Cells - It is known for it’s white portion gap in the middle of the other
building like cell
○ Lamina Propia - it looks like a string like structure (red color) in the middle
part or the lower part
○ Striated Border - the topmost lining
○ Simple Columnar Epithelium - it’s shape is a building, the height of the
shape is higher then that is the clue for Simple columnar epithelium.

○ Simple Squamous Epithelium – are plate-like cells/flat cells with a

non- regular outline, closely fitted together to form a sheet. It is
prevalent in the alveoli, endothelium of blood vessels, kidney, and
covering mesothelium of body cavities.
○ Function: for exchange of material through diffusion.

○ Stratified Epithelium – comprises

of more than one layer of cells,
classified according to the
structure of the topmost tissue
layer.
○ Stratified Squamous Epithelium -
multilayered cell groups that
regenerates quickly. Often found
in the skin that protects the
organism from bacterial invasion.
It can be keratinized or non-
keratinized. Function: for
protection

○ Transition Epithelium – are

overlapping layers of cells that line
ther ureters and unrinary bladder.
○ Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium – are
multilayered cube-shaped cells
fused together in some glands.
○ It has many nucleus that is surrounded in
comparison to the simple cuboidal
epithelium
○ If it has one layer that is surrounded by
the nucleus then that is the simple
cuboidal epithelium
○ Glandular Epithelium - is distinct due to cells that function for
molecular secretion.
 Classification:
○ Number of Cells – monocellular or multicellular
○ Morphology or Shape – simple, compound or saccular
○ Types of secretion – serous, mucous, or mixed serous- mucous
○ Presence Or Absence Of Secretory Ducts – endocrine or exocrine
○ The Integrity of The Secretory Cells – holocrine, apocrine and
merocrine
○ Serous Acini - outer portion
○ Lumen - The white portion in the middle
○ Nuclei or Nucleus - prominent circular structure
○ Secretory Vesicles - The reddish dots that are concentrated in the Lumen
○ Function: Produce and release different secretory products

○ Pseudo-Stratified Columnar - single

layer of cells; may just look stacked
because of varying height; for lining of
respiratory tract; usually lined with cilia
(i.e., a type of cell modification that
sweeps the mucus)
○ Stacked and the present of cilia, then
that is the Pseudo-stratified columnar
Epithelium
○ Cilia - that is the partner of Flagella
○ The cilia for larynx is to ensure if
something go inside the larynx it is to
filter out or push forward or backward
○ Flagella - it is the structure for mobility
○ Cytoplasm - beside the nucleus (red
portion)

○ Pseudo - Stratified Columnar Epithelium - starting base cilia (lower

portion) to basal lamina that is Pseudo-stratified columnar Epithelium
○ Basal Lamina - the border to Pseudo-stratified columnar Epithelium with
that of the lamina propia
○ Goblet Cells - White portion that is somewhat adipose tissue or a hole
○ Under the microscope it will appear like we can see the presence of cilia
○ Larynx (Organ Use)
○ Function: Protects the lungs from these irritants
KEY POINTS
I. Tissue Types:
○ Epithelial Tissue

II. Types of Epithelial Tissue:

○ Simple Epithelium:
○ Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
○ Simple Columnar Epithelium
○ Simple Squamous Epithelium

 Stratified Epithelium:
○ Stratified Squamous Epithelium
○ Transition Epithelium
○ Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
○ Stratified Columnar Epithelium
○ Glandular Epithelium
○ Pseudo-Stratified Columnar Epithelium
 Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
○ Thyroid Gland (Organ Use)
○ Nuclei of Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
○ Cytoplasm
○ Function: Secretion

 Simple Columnar Epithelium

○ Ileum (Organ Use)
○ Basal Nucleus of a Simple Columnar Epithelium
○ Goblet Cells
○ Lamina Propia
○ Striated Border
○ Function: For Secretion and Active Absorption

 Simple Squamous Epithelium

○ Kidney (Organ Use)
○ Free Space
○ Nucleus of a Simple Squamous Epithelium of the Bowman’s Capsule
○ Glumerulus
○ Function: for exchange of material through diffusion

 Stratified Squamous Epithelium

○ Thick Skin (Organ Use)
○ Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
○ Stratified Squamous Epithelium
○ Basal Lamina
○ Prominent Connective tissue papilla
○ Function: For Protection

 Transition Epithelium
○ Urinary Bladder (Organ Use)
○ Condensed Border
○ Dome shaped cells
○ Transitional epithelium
○ Function: Permeability barrier

 Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium

○ Glands (Organ Use)
○ Nucleus
○ Function: Protection

 Stratified Columnar Epithelium

○ Conjunctiva and Human Salivary Glands
○ Cell of a Stratified Columnar Epithelium
○ Function: Protection

 Glandular Epithelium
○ Parotid Gland (Organ Use)
○ Serous Acini
○ Lumen
○ Nuclei or Nucleus
○ Serous Grandular Epithelium
○ Secretory Vesicles
○ Function: Produce and release different secretory products

 Pseudo-Stratified Columnar Epithelium

○ Larynx (Organ Use)
○ Cilia
○ Nucleus
○ Cytoplasm
○ Pseudo-Stratified Columnar Epithelium
○ Basal Lamina
○ Goblet Cells
○ Function: Protects the lungs from these irritants

End of Module 2 Part 2