Which type of tissue is responsible for secreting digestive enzymes?

Which type of tissue is responsible for secreting digestive enzymes?

(a) Connective

(b) Nervous

(c) Matrix

(d) Muscle

(e) Epithelial.

Answer: (e) Epithelial.

Epithelial tissues are involved in the secretion of enzymes in the human body especially in the digestion process. This is a type of tissue that forms the lining of the body’s organs and cavities and hence is found in the digestive system. With regard to digestion, epithelial tissues become specialized to form glands which secrete different kinds of enzymes, which are used to help in the breakdown of food. For instance, cells from the lining of the stomach release gastric juice which contains enzymes such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid. In the small intestine pancreas, glandular epithelial cells secrete trypsin while the epithelial cells lining the walls of the intestine secrete peptidases and sucrases. Amylase to digest carbohydrates is secreted by the salivary glands, which like the tongue consist of epithelial tissue. Of all the accessory organs of digestion, epithelial tissue is essential since its main function is to secrete substances and aid in digestion.