Question

Explain how the epithelium in each of the following regions of the respiratory tract is adapted so its structure follows its function.
a. Nasal cavity:
b. Bronchiole:
c. Alveolus:

Answer 1

Explanation:

a. Nasal cavity: the epithelium in this zone is meant to provide a physical barrier to the invasion of microorganism or particles, it also secretes and remove mucus and foreign particles, these epithelial cells are also involved in the igE producing process (perpetuating allergic responses. The nose is the first barrier to the air that enters our body, that's why the epithelial cells in this zone focus in filtering foreign particles.

b. Bronchiole: epithelium is ciliated and no ciliated, it becomes cuboidal in smaller passages as it continues to branch. The no ciliated cells, also known as club cells are the ones that produce surfactant. Since bronchioles are passages to direct the air to the alveoles epithelial cells in this zone have adapted to go from larger branches to smaller ones to reach the alveoli.

c. Alveolus: it's composed of two types of cells, type one, that constitute the air-blood barrier and type two, cells that produce surfactant to reduce surface tension to keep the alveolus shape when breathing. Since alveoli's function is to allows oxygen/carbon dioxide to move between bloodstream the epithelial cells in this organ evolved to cover this job.

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