Question

Stratified epithelial cells have a limited role in secretion. Justify their role in our skin.

Answer 1

Features:

Stratified epithelium is made up of many layers of cells. In the skin the innermost layers are made of cuboidal or squamous cells. The outer layers are made of keratinised epithelium. Keratinised epithelium cells have lost their nucleus and contain a lot of keratin that help in protection.

Role in the skin:

Keratinised stratified epithelium is found in the skin because-

• This epithelium contains dead cells with a lot of insoluble protein called keratin therefore providing the epidermis of the skin with protection against germs and desiccation.
• They have a minimum role in secretions in the skin.
• The secretions in the skin are due to glandular epithelium and not by the keratinised stratified epithelium.