Epithelial tissue is one of the four primary types of tissue present in animals. It is composed of tightly packed cells that cover the body surface and line the internal organs, forming a protective barrier. The characteristic of epithelial tissue is as follows:

Rapid Rate of Cell Division
- Epithelial cells have a high rate of cell division, which allows the tissue to regenerate and repair quickly.
- This characteristic is essential for the maintenance and repair of the epithelial tissue.

Other Characteristics of Epithelial Tissue
- Epithelial tissue is avascular, meaning that it lacks blood vessels.
- Epithelial cells are tightly packed and form a continuous sheet, providing a barrier to protect the body from external factors, such as pathogens, chemicals, and physical damage.
- Epithelial tissue has a polarity, meaning that the cells have different structures and functions depending on their location in the tissue.
- Epithelial cells are anchored to a basement membrane, which separates the tissue from the underlying connective tissue.

Functions of Epithelial Tissue
- Epithelial tissue serves various functions, including absorption, secretion, protection, and sensation.
- Different types of epithelial tissue have different structures and functions based on their location in the body.
- For example, the epithelial tissue in the lungs is specialized for gas exchange, while the epithelial tissue in the digestive system is specialized for absorption and secretion.

In conclusion, the characteristic of epithelial tissue is its rapid rate of cell division, which is essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue. Epithelial tissue also has other characteristics, such as being avascular, forming a continuous sheet, having polarity, and being anchored to a basement membrane. The tissue serves various functions, including absorption, secretion, protection, and sensation, depending on its location in the body.

This surface location subjects these tissues to a lot of abuse and damage from environmental contact.
As a result, these cells divide rapidly to replace damaged surface cells that are continuously sloughed off.