Final answer:
The false statement about epithelium is that it is a highly vascular tissue. Epithelia are avascular with no blood vessels within the tissue; nutrients must reach the cells via diffusion or absorption. The false statement about epithelium is b).
Step-by-step explanation:
About epithelium:
The false statement about epithelium is b) epithelial tissue is a highly vascular tissue. Epithelial tissues are in fact nearly completely avascular, meaning they have no blood vessels crossing the basement membrane into the tissue itself.
Epithelial cells are indeed replaced continuously by mitosis, allowing for rapid healing and regeneration. This is a necessity as epithelia often cover surfaces subjected to wear and tear, such as our skin, airways, and the digestive tract.
Epithelial tissues are composed of cells arranged in single or multiple layers. When epithelial cells are in a single layer, it is termed a 'simple' epithelium, whereas multiple layers indicate a 'stratified' epithelium. In certain cases, such as transitional epithelium, the number of layers can change due to conditions like the fullness of the urinary bladder.