Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each epithelium by whether its structure favours exchange or protection.
Groups: Favours exchange · Favours protection
- Simple columnar in the gut
- Stratified squamous in the oesophagus
- Stratified squamous in the skin
- Simple squamous in the alveoli
Hints
- Thin epithelia allow exchange; thick ones resist damage.
- Anywhere abrasion occurs will be many cells thick.
Show the answer
Favours exchange: Simple squamous in the alveoli, Simple columnar in the gut
Favours protection: Stratified squamous in the skin, Stratified squamous in the oesophagus
Why
The rule is consistent: thin where exchange matters, thick where protection does. The oesophagus is stratified for the same reason skin is, food scraping past would destroy a single layer.
Practise Epithelial Tissue and Glands
The app has 3 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Biology I is free to start.
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