How do epithelial tissues respond to environmental changes?
Epithelial tissues serve as barriers and are often the first line of defense against environmental changes. They can adapt by increasing cell turnover rates, altering cell differentiation patterns, and modifying the expression of surface receptors. For instance, in response to UV radiation, the skin's epidermis thickens, and melanocyte activity increases, which can be observed histologically as increased melanin deposition.
