How Do Epithelial Tissues Maintain Their Integrity?
Epithelial tissues maintain their integrity through several mechanisms:
Cell junctions: Tight junctions, desmosomes, and gap junctions help maintain cell-to-cell adhesion and communication. Basement membrane: Provides structural support and anchors the epithelium to the underlying connective tissue. Regeneration: High turnover rate allows epithelial tissues to quickly repair and replace damaged cells.