Epithelial Cells - Microvillus, Pseudostratified Epithelium, Simple Cuboidal Epithelium, Brush Border, Stratified Squamous Epithelium (Paperback)

Chapters: Microvillus, Pseudostratified Epithelium, Simple Cuboidal Epithelium, Brush Border, Stratified Squamous Epithelium, Transitional Epithelium, Koilocyte, Simple Columnar Epithelium, Intestinal Epithelium, Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium, Stratified Columnar Epithelium, Simple Squamous Epithelium, Prickle Cell, Columnar Epithelia, Cuboidal Epithelia. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 45. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Microvilli (singular: microvillus) are microscopic cellular membrane protrusions that increase the surface area of cells, and are involved in a wide variety of functions, including absorption, secretion, cellular adhesion, and mechanotransduction. Duodenum with brush border (microvilli) Thousands of microvilli form a structure called the brush border that is found on the apical surface of some epithelial cells, such as the small intestinal enterocyte and the kidney proximal tubule. Microvilli also occur in sensory cells of the inner ear (as stereocilia), in the cells of taste buds, and in olfactory receptor cells. Microvilli are observed on the plasma surface of eggs, aiding in the anchoring of sperm cells that have penetrated the extracellular coat of egg cells. Clustering of elongated microtubules around a sperm allows for it to be drawn closer and held firmly so fusion can occur. Microvilli are also of importance on the cell surface of white blood cells, as they aid in the migration of white blood cells. Microvilli are covered in plasma membrane, which encloses cytoplasm and microfilaments. Though these are cellular extensions, there are little or no cellular organelles present in the microvilli. Each microvillus has a dense bundle of cross-linked actin filaments, which serves as its structural core. 20 to 30 tightly bundled actin filaments are cross-linked ...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=16235