Question

Adjacent epithelial cells are held together by means of
A. Liposomes
B. Glyoxysomes
C. Desmosomes
D. Microsomes

Answer 1

Hint: The epithelial cells from the inner lining of internal organs. They are thin and protective in nature. Binding of cells is done by an adhesive protein called macula adherens.

Complete answer: Liposomes are spherical vesicles which contain at least one lipid layer. It acts as a vehicle for the transmission of nutrients and drugs to unhealthy tissue. Liposomes are used in drug delivery systems.
-Glyoxysomes are found in plants and are specialized peroxisomes. They are found in fat-storing germinating seeds. The enzyme that initiates the breakdown of fatty acids is present on glyoxysomes.
-Macula adherens also called desmosome is a specialized cell structure used for the cell to cell adhesion. It is a type of cell junction found in epithelial tissues. The adjacent cells in epithelial tissue are held together by desmosome. Shearing forces are resisted by desmosome.
-Microsomes are reformed from the pieces of the endoplasmic reticulum of eukaryotic cells in the laboratory. They are absent in healthy and living cells.
So, option C is the right answer.

Note: Mutations can occur in the specialized cell structure called desmosomes. This can be the main cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). It is a life-threatening disease. It often occurs in individuals between 20 to 50 years of age. Fainting, shortness of breath and heart palpitation are the symptoms of ACM and it can be treated by implanting a small internal defibrillator device.