epithelial-and-connective-tissues MCQs for UPSC Prelims

25 practice questions on epithelial-and-connective-tissues from the Tissues in Action section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus. 25 come with a written explanation. Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.

7 Easy 13 Medium 5 Hard

Sample questions

Q1
easy
Which feature is typical of epithelial tissue?
  1. A Its cells are long and shorten to produce movement
  2. B Its cells lie far apart in a large amount of jelly-like material
  3. C Its cells send out long branches that carry electrical signals
  4. D Its cells are packed tightly together with almost no material in between them
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Its cells are packed tightly together with almost no material in between them

An epithelium works as a barrier, so its cells are cemented into a continuous sheet with hardly any space between them. Cells lying far apart in a jelly-like material describe connective tissue. Long cells that shorten are muscle cells. Cells with long branches carrying electrical signals are nerve cells.
Q2
medium
The inner surface of the mouth, the outer surface of the skin and the inner lining of a blood vessel all belong to the same broad kind of tissue. Which is it, and why does it suit all three places?
  1. A Nervous tissue, because it senses whatever touches each surface
  2. B Muscular tissue, because it can contract and change the shape of each surface
  3. C Connective tissue, because it fills the spaces between the other tissues
  4. D Epithelial tissue, because it forms continuous sheets that cover and line surfaces
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Epithelial tissue, because it forms continuous sheets that cover and line surfaces

All three are boundaries between the body and a space, and a continuous sheet of tightly joined cells is exactly what such a boundary needs, so all three are epithelium. Muscle changes shape but does not form these linings. Connective tissue lies beneath and supports them rather than forming the surface. Nervous tissue supplies the sensation but is not the lining itself.
Q3
medium
Where the two bones of a knee meet, each bone end is capped with a smooth, slightly springy layer. Which tissue is this, and what does it do there?
  1. A Muscle, which pulls the two bone ends towards each other
  2. B Cartilage, which smooths the surfaces and cushions the bones as they move
  3. C Epithelium, which lines the space and keeps germs out of the joint
  4. D Bone, which grips the two ends so tightly that they cannot slip
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Cartilage, which smooths the surfaces and cushions the bones as they move

A smooth springy cap on a bone end is cartilage, and it lets the surfaces slide easily while absorbing the shocks of walking and running. Bone against bare bone would grind and wear away. Muscle moves the joint from outside and does not form the cap. Epithelium lines surfaces open to the outside, not the inside of a joint.
Q4
medium
Why is epithelial tissue described as a barrier tissue of the body?
  1. A It carries the signals that warn the body about harmful substances
  2. B Anything entering or leaving the body has to cross at least one layer of it
  3. C It is made of dead cells that nothing at all can pass through
  4. D It contracts to close off the openings of the body when danger comes
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B - Anything entering or leaving the body has to cross at least one layer of it

Epithelium lines every surface where the body meets the outside world, including the gut and the lungs, so food, air and wastes all have to cross it. Its cells are living, not dead, and useful substances are allowed through in a controlled way. Epithelium cannot contract, since it has no muscle. Carrying warning signals is the work of nervous tissue.
Q5
easy
The tip of the nose and the outer flap of the ear can be bent and then spring back into shape. Which tissue gives them this property?
  1. A Cartilage
  2. B Epithelium
  3. C Bone
  4. D Muscle
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A - Cartilage

Cartilage has a firm yet flexible matrix, so it holds a shape and still allows bending. Bone has a hard matrix and would snap rather than bend. Muscle shortens to produce movement but gives no springy framework. Epithelium is only a thin covering layer on the surface.
Q6
medium
How does bone differ from cartilage?
  1. A Both have exactly the same matrix, and bone simply has more cells in it
  2. B Bone has a flexible matrix, while cartilage has a hard matrix full of calcium salts
  3. C Bone has no matrix at all, while cartilage has a jelly-like one
  4. D Bone has a hard matrix containing calcium salts, while cartilage has a firm but flexible matrix
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D - Bone has a hard matrix containing calcium salts, while cartilage has a firm but flexible matrix

Calcium salts in the matrix make bone hard and rigid, while the matrix of cartilage stays firm yet springy. Reversing the two would make bone bendy and cartilage rigid, which is the opposite of what is felt in an arm and an ear. Bone certainly has a matrix, and indeed a very hard one. The two matrices are clearly different, not the same.
Q7
hard
Assertion (A): The outer flap of the ear can be bent and springs back, while the bone of the upper arm cannot be bent at all. Reason (R): Cartilage has a hard matrix packed with calcium salts, while bone has a soft and flexible matrix. Choose the correct option.
  1. A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. C A is true, but R is false
  4. D A is false, but R is true
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - A is true, but R is false

(A) is true, as anyone can feel by bending an ear flap and then pressing an arm. (R) reverses the two tissues and so is false: the hard matrix with calcium salts belongs to bone, and the firm flexible matrix belongs to cartilage. The real reason for (A) is the opposite of what (R) claims.
Q8
easy
Which kind of animal tissue forms the covering of the body and the lining of its internal organs?
  1. A Connective tissue
  2. B Muscular tissue
  3. C Epithelial tissue
  4. D Nervous tissue
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C - Epithelial tissue

Epithelial tissue forms continuous sheets that cover outer surfaces and line the inside of organs and tubes. Muscular tissue contracts to produce movement. Connective tissue joins, supports and packs parts of the body. Nervous tissue carries signals from one part of the body to another.

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