The ability of epithelial tissue to constantly divide
A) is a disadvantage in areas of the body where tissue undergoes a lot of wear and tear, such as the digestive tract.
B) makes epithelial tissue more likely to become cancerous than other tissues.
C) results in an inability to replace damaged tissue.
D) makes it similar to nervous tissue.
E) makes it an unsuitable tissue type for the outer layer of skin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Epithelial tissue's high rate of cell division is a double-edged sword; while it allows for rapid repair and renewal, it also increases the risk of mutations during cell division, potentially leading to cancer. This characteristic does not inherently make it unsuitable for high-wear areas like the digestive tract or skin, nor does it result in an inability to replace damaged tissue. Unlike epithelial tissue, nervous tissue has a very limited ability to regenerate, making these two tissue types quite different in this regard.

The Ability of Epithelial Tissue to Constantly Divide