Final answer:
Option (A), The main difference between simple and stratified epithelium is the number of cell layers, and epithelial tissues are defined by cell shapes: squamous, cuboidal, and columnar.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between simple epithelium and stratified epithelium has to do with the number of layers of cells. A simple epithelium has only one layer of cells, with each cell in direct contact with the basal lamina. In contrast, a stratified epithelium consists of multiple layers of cells, with only the basal layer resting on the basal lamina.
Epithelial tissues are further defined by the shape of their cells:
- Squamous cells are flattened and thin.
- Cuboidal cells are boxy, roughly as wide as they are tall, typical of glandular tissues.
- Columnar cells are rectangular and taller than they are wide, like those lining the small intestine and containing microvilli for absorption.
The correct answer to the question is A) Number of Layers; Shape of Cells.