If epithelial cells are classified according to their cell shape, the classes would include :

Options

A. simple, stratified, pseudostratified
B. squamous, cuboidal, columnar
C. simple, squamous, stratified
D. pseudostratified, stratified, columnar

Answer

To classify epithelial cells according to their shape, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Epithelial Cells**: Epithelial cells are a type of tissue that covers the surfaces of the body, both inside and out. They can be classified based on various criteria, including cell shape and the number of cell layers.

2. **Classification Based on Cell Shape**: When classifying epithelial cells specifically by their shape, we focus on three primary categories:
- **Squamous Cells**: These cells are flat and thin, resembling scales. They allow for easy diffusion and are typically found in areas where passive transport is essential, such as the lining of the lungs and blood vessels.
- **Cuboidal Cells**: These cells are cube-shaped or hexagonal. They are generally involved in secretion and absorption and are commonly found in glandular tissues and the lining of kidney tubules.
- **Columnar Cells**: These cells are taller than they are wide, resembling columns. They often have microvilli or cilia on their surface and are involved in absorption and secretion, typically found in the digestive tract and respiratory tract.

3. **Conclusion**: Based on the classification by cell shape, we can conclude that the three classes of epithelial cells are:
- **Squamous Epithelium**
- **Cuboidal Epithelium**
- **Columnar Epithelium**

### Final Answer:
If epithelial cells are classified according to their cell shape, the classes would include squamous, cuboidal, and columnar.

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