Final answer:
The cells mentioned are columnar epithelial cells, which facilitate digestion by secreting enzymes and absorbing nutrients. In culture, Caco-2 cells mimic these cells and exhibit similar properties, such as forming tight junctions, akin to the human intestinal epithelium.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cells that divide while still differentiating and can be found in the intestinal epithelium are known as columnar epithelial cells. These cells are characterized by their tall and narrow appearance, resembling a stack of columns. Columnar epithelial cells have multiple roles in digestion; they secrete digestive enzymes into the intestine, absorb products of digestion from the intestine, protect underlying structures, and have an involvement in transporting material between the interior and exterior of the body. They possess microvilli that increase the surface area for absorption and can sometimes be interspersed with goblet cells, which secrete mucus to aid in digestion and protect the epithelial lining. Caco-2 cells are an example that when cultured, differentiate into structures similar to human intestinal epithelium, with properties like transporter expression and tight junction formation, highlighting their functional significance in intestinal health.