What is the Role of Epithelial Tissue in Protection?
Epithelial tissue plays a crucial role in protection by forming barriers between the internal and external environments. This tissue type lines surfaces and cavities throughout the body, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory system. The protective function is enhanced by the presence of various specialized cells such as keratinocytes in the skin, which produce keratin to form a waterproof barrier, and goblet cells in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, which secrete mucus to trap pathogens and debris.
