Final answer:
Transitional epithelial cells, found in stretchable organs like the bladder, are characterized by having sparser and shorter microvilli compared to those in the small intestine, which is lined by microvilli-dense columnar epithelium cells for nutrient absorption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The transitional epithelial lining cells are smaller and have only sparse, short, apical microvilli.
Epithelial cells are classified based on shape and layering, and microvilli are cylindrical apical surface extensions of the plasma membrane of the mucosa's epithelial cells. In areas such as the small intestine, which is lined by simple columnar epithelium, the microvilli form a brush border that significantly increases the surface area for nutrient absorption.
However, in the transitional epithelium, which is found lining stretchable organs like the bladder, the cells have the ability to slide over each other, and the presence of microvilli is reduced compared to those found in the small intestine. The transitional epithelial cells are more numerous and pack tightly together when the organ is not stretched, making their individual microvilli less prominent.