Question

Which of the following tissues protects the inner and outer surfaces of the body and is made up of tightly packed cells?
A. Epithelial Tissue
B. Adipose Tissue
C. Fibrous Connective Tissue
D. Nervous Tissue
E. Muscle Tissue

Answer 1

Hint: The human body is made of a number of cells. A group of cells performing similar functions come together to form a unit performing a specific function called tissue. The tissue plays an important role in all the functions of the human body.

Complete Answer:
Now, let us analyze each and every option to find the correct answer.
Option A: Epithelial tissues are found almost all over the body. They are present as the covering of all body surfaces, hollow organs and inner walls of the organs as well as the human body. Epithelial tissue is a major tissue in glands as well. They perform the function of absorption, secretion, protection, etc. The cells of the epithelial tissue are tightly packed as they form the coverings and linings and the cells have only one surface which is not in contact with other cells. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option B: Adipose tissue is commonly known as the body fat. They are responsible for regulating the internal body temperature (homeostasis). They also store body fat and excess nutrients such as fats in the body. It is usually found under our skin, around visceral organs, within bone marrow, etc. The adipocytes are loosely packed with spaces in between them that stores the fat or the excess food material. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option C: Fibrous connective tissues are composed by parallel bundles of collagen fibres. They join together two bones or a muscle and a bone together. Some of the fibrous connective tissues are tendons, dermis and ligaments.Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option D: Nervous tissue in the human body is composed of neurons, which are responsible for coordinating and controlling the various functions of the body. The nervous tissue is located in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Option E: Muscle tissues are composed of muscle fibres that are located in different parts of the body. There are three types of muscle tissue, namely smooth muscles (located in the walls of hollow visceral organs), cardiac muscle (located in the heart that causes the involuntary actions of the heart) and skeletal muscles (fibres that occur in the muscle that are attached to the skeleton).Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

So, as we can see that the correct option is option A) Epithelial tissue.

Note: There are mainly two types of epithelial tissues-
1. Simple Epithelial Tissue: It is a single layer of cells in which every cell is in direct contact with the basement membrane which separates it from the underlying connective tissue.
2. Compound Epithelial Tissue: Compound epithelial tissue consists of more than one layer of cells. Since they are multi layered, they play a very little in absorption or secretion.