In epithelial tissue

Options

A. Cells are compactly packed with large amounts of intercellular matrix
B. A free surfaceis present which faces either a body fluid or the outside environment
C. The tissue provides a covering or lining for all parts of the body
D. The cells are always loosely packed with little intracellular matrix

Answer

To answer the question regarding epithelial tissue, we will analyze each of the provided statements one by one.

### Step 1: Analyze the first statement
**Statement:** "Cells are compactly packed with a large amount of intracellular matrix."
- **Evaluation:** This statement is incorrect. In epithelial tissue, cells are indeed compactly packed, but they have a **small amount** of intracellular matrix, not a large amount.

### Step 2: Analyze the second statement
**Statement:** "The free surface present which faces either a body fluid or outside environment."
- **Evaluation:** This statement is correct. Epithelial tissues have a free surface that is exposed to either the external environment or to body fluids, which is a characteristic feature of epithelial tissue.

### Step 3: Analyze the third statement
**Statement:** "Tissue provides a covering or lining for all parts of the body."
- **Evaluation:** This statement is misleading. While epithelial tissue does provide covering and lining, it does not cover **all** parts of the body. Therefore, this statement is incorrect.

### Step 4: Analyze the fourth statement
**Statement:** "The cells are always loosely packed with a little intracellular matrix."
- **Evaluation:** This statement is incorrect. Epithelial cells are tightly packed, not loosely packed, and they have a minimal amount of intracellular matrix.

### Conclusion
Based on the analysis:
- The **correct statement** regarding epithelial tissue is the second one: "The free surface present which faces either a body fluid or outside environment."

### Final Answer
The correct option is: **The free surface present which faces either a body fluid or outside environment.**

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