Basement membrane is made up of

Options

A. only epidermal cells
B. only endodermal cells
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. no cell at all , but is a product of epithelial cells

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Basement Membrane:**
- The basement membrane is a specialized structure that underlies epithelial tissues. It serves as a supportive layer for the epithelial cells.

2. **Composition of the Basement Membrane:**
- The basement membrane is a non-cellular layer, meaning it does not contain any cells. Instead, it is composed of two main layers:
- **Basal Lamina:** This is the outermost layer, lying directly beneath the epithelial cells. It is thin and primarily made up of mucopolysaccharides and glycoproteins, which are secreted by the epithelial cells themselves.
- **Reticular Lamina (Fibrous Lamina):** This is the inner layer of the basement membrane. It is thicker and consists of collagen and reticular fibers derived from the underlying connective tissue.

3. **Microscopic Visibility:**
- The basal lamina can only be seen using an electron microscope due to its thinness, while the reticular lamina can be observed with a light microscope because it is thicker.

4. **Conclusion:**
- Since the basement membrane is a non-cellular layer, the correct answer to the question "Basement membrane is made up of" is that it contains no cells at all. Instead, it consists of glycoproteins and collagen fibers.

**Final Answer:**
- The basement membrane is made up of a non-cellular layer consisting of the basal lamina (composed of glycoproteins) and the reticular lamina (composed of collagen and reticular fibers).

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