BRAINCAKEEpithelial Cells
Epithelial tissue (epithelium) covers the outer surfaces of the body and lines internal surfaces such as blood vessels, airways and the gut. Epithelial cells are packed tightly together in sheets with very little material between them, and they sit on a basement membrane, a thin layer of protein and polysaccharide fibres that attaches them to the tissue below.
Epithelia are classified by the shape of their cells and the number of layers.
Squamous epithelium
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Key terms in this lesson
- microvilli
- Finger-like projections of the cell surface membrane that increase surface area for absorption or secretion.
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All 30 lessons in Eukaryotic Cells · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics