How is epithelial tissue classified?

• A. By the type of connective tissue it is attached to
• B. By the ability to conduct electrical impulses
• C. By the presence of blood vessels
• D. By the shape of cells and the number of cell layers

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that epithelial tissue is a type of tissue that covers the surfaces of the body, both inside and out, and serves as a protective barrier.
2. Recognize that epithelial tissue is classified based on two main criteria: the shape of the cells and the number of cell layers.
3. Identify the different shapes of epithelial cells, which include squamous (flat), cuboidal (cube-shaped), and columnar (tall and column-like).
4. Determine the number of cell layers, which can be simple (a single layer of cells) or stratified (multiple layers of cells).
5. Combine the shape and layering criteria to classify epithelial tissue, such as simple squamous, stratified cuboidal, or simple columnar epithelium.