Transcellular

Transport

Tissues
Cells work together in functionally related groups called

tissues
Tissue - A group of closely associated cells that perform
related functions and are similar in structure
Four primary types
Epithelium
Connective tissue
Nervous tissue
Muscle

Epithelial Tissue
Covers a body surface or lines

a body cavity
Forms parts of most glands
Functions of epithelium

Protection
Absorption, secretion, and ion

transport
Filtration
Forms slippery surfaces

Special Characteristics of Epithelia

Cellularity - cells separated by minimal extra cellular

material
Specialized contacts - cells joined by special junctions
Polarity - cell regions of the apical surface differ from the
basal surface

Special Characteristics of Epithelia

Support by connective tissue
Avascular but innervated - epithelia receive nutrients from

underlying connective tissue via diffusion

Regeneration - lost cells are quickly replaced by cell
division

Classifications of Epithelia
First name of tissue

indicates number of cell

layers
Simple one layer of

cells
Stratified more than one
layer of cells

Classifications of Epithelia
Last name of tissue

describes shape of cells

Squamous cells are

wider than tall (plate-like)

Cuboidal cells are as
wide as tall, like cubes
Columnar cells are taller
than they are wide, like
columns

Stratified Epithelia
Properties
Contain two or more layers of cells
Regenerate from below (basal layer)
Major role is protection
Named according to shape of cells at apical layer

Transitional Epithelium
Description
Basal cells usually cuboidal or columnar
Superficial cells dome-shaped or squamous
Function stretches and permits distension of urinary bladder
Location lines ureters, urinary bladder, and proximal urethra

Lateral Surface Features: Cell Junctions

Factors holding epithelial cells together
Adhesion proteins link plasma membranes of adjacent cells
Contours of adjacent cell membranes (Like puzzle pieces)
Special cell junctions

Tight Junctions
Tight junctions (zona occludens) close off intercellular

space
Found at apical region of most epithelial tissues types
Some proteins in plasma membrane of adjacent cells are fused
Prevent certain molecules from passing between cells of

epithelial tissue

Tight
junction

Adherens Junction
Adherens junction (zonula adherens) is a type of anchoring

junction forms adhesion belt

Transmembrane linker proteins attach to actin

microfilaments of the cytoskeleton and bind adjacent cells

With tight junctions, form the tight junctional complex
around apical lateral borders of epithelial tissues
Plasma
membranes
Intracellular
attachment
proteins

Cell
1

Cell
2

Cytoskeletal
filament
Intercellular
space

Extracellular
matrix

Transmembrane
linking proteins

Desmosomes

Desmosomes is a type of anchoring junction

Two disclike plaques connected across intercellular space act like
rivets or buttons
Regulate cell shape/structure by cell-cell interactions
Plaques of adjoining cells are joined by linker proteins called

cadherins, the proteins interdigitate in the extracellular space

Intermediate filaments insert into plaques from cytoplasmic side
Hemidesmosomes anchor the base of the cell to the basement

membrane

Gap junctions
Gap junctions passageway between two adjacent cells
Let small molecules move directly between neighboring cells
Cells are connected by hollow cylinders of protein
Function in intercellular communication

Basal Feature: The Basal Lamina

Noncellular supporting sheet between the ET and the CT

Consists of proteins secreted by ET cells

Functions

Acts as a selective filter, determining which molecules from

capillaries enter the epithelium

Acts as scaffolding along which regenerating ET cells can
migrate
Basal lamina and reticular layers of the underlying CT

form the basement membrane

Apical surface features

Microvilli fingerlike extensions of plasma membrane
Abundant in ET of small intestine and kidney
Maximize surface area across which small molecules enter

or leave
Act as stiff knobs that resist abrasion

Tight junction separates apical and basal/lateral spaces

Apical: glucose and Na+ coupling; basal/lateral: glucose is passive,
Na+ maintained by ATP-driven pump

Endothelial Tissue

Structure of the Capillary System

Arterioles
< 40 microns diameter
Thick smooth muscle layer
Metarterioles
Connect arterioles and capillaries
Discontinous smooth muscle layer
Capillaries
Approx. 10 billion in the body
500-700 m2
< 30 microns from cell to cap
4-9 microns diameter
Contractile endothelial cells
Venules
Larger than arterioles
Weak smooth muscle layer

Capillary Wall Structure

Intercellular cleft (Junctions):

6-7 nm space between adjacent endothelial cells
Site of transport, although only 1/1000th of

surface area
reduced in size in brain (blood-brain barrier)

Discontinuous endothelium
Large spaces between endothelial cells
Found in liver

Pinocytic vessicles
Transport system for large molecules/solids

Fenestra
Membrane windows with permeable membrane

cover
Found in kidneys, permit much higher transport
levels

Continuous Capillary

Tight junctions
Transport via vesicles

Fenestrated Capillary

Large pores for transport

Large gaps between cells (e.g., bone marrow)
Few vesicles (e.g., kidneys, GI tract)