Question

Which of the following is not a characteristic of epithelial tissue?

• A. Epithelial tissue cells are tightly packed and form a continuous sheet.
• B. Basement membrane is absent in epithelial tissue cells.
• C. Epithelial tissue cells have only a small amount of cementing material between them.
• D. Epithelial tissue cells have almost no intercellular spaces.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Explanation of the correct answer:

1. Basement membrane is a thin sheet of fibrous proteins underlying and rendering support to the cells of an epithelium which separates it from the tissues underneath.

2. These basement membranes form the components of the extracellular matrix helping in regulating the movement of materials between the epithelial cells and the blood vessels close by.

Explanation of the incorrect answers:

Option A:

1. Epithelial tissue is formed from a tightly fitted continuous layer of cells.
2. One surface of the epithelial tissue is exposed to either the external environment or the body fluid.
3. The other surface is attached to tissue by a membrane, which consists of fibres and polysaccharides secreted by epithelial cells.

Option B:

1. There is little inter-cellular material present between cells.

2. So, small amount of cementing material is present between the cells.

Option C:

1. Epithelial tissue is formed from a tightly fitted continuous layer of cells.

2. There is little inter-cellular material present between cells.

Final answer: Basement membrane is absent in epithelial tissue cells is not a characteristic of epithelial tissue.