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Surfactant reduces the surface tension within in your lungs, your alveoli have a wet surface and if surfactant were not present they would stick together causing a difficulty in expanding your thoracic cavity-so you wouldn't be able to breath without surfactant.

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13y ago
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5mo ago

Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing by maintaining their stability and preventing them from sticking together. This allows for efficient gas exchange in the lungs by promoting inflation during inspiration and preventing collapse during expiration.

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12y ago

Surfactant is important because it forms a superficial coating over the thin layer of water coating the alveolar surface, it reduces surface tension which results from the attraction between water molecules.

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Q: Why is surfactant important in alveoli?
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How are septal cells involved in keeping alveoli from collapsing?

Septal cells, specifically type II pneumocytes, produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension in the alveoli. This decreases the tendency of the alveoli to collapse by preventing them from sticking together. Additionally, surfactant helps to maintain the structural integrity of the alveoli during breathing.


Reduces the surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli?

Surfactant, a substance produced by type II alveolar cells in the lungs, reduces the surface tension of fluid in the alveoli. This helps to prevent the collapse of alveoli during expiration and facilitates the exchange of gases in the lungs.


The chemical on the inside of the alveoli that allows it to keep its round shape is?

Surfactant is the chemical on the inside of the alveoli that helps it maintain its round shape by reducing surface tension, preventing collapse. This substance is produced by type II alveolar cells in the lungs.


What is the fluid in the alveoli called?

The fluid in the alveoli of the lungs is called pulmonary surfactant. It helps to reduce surface tension and prevent the alveoli from collapsing, allowing for efficient gas exchange during respiration.


What cells secrete surfactant that reduces the tendency for pulmonary alveoli to collapse?

Type II alveolar cells in the lungs secrete surfactant, which is a specialized fluid that lowers surface tension in the alveoli. This reduces the tendency for the alveoli to collapse during exhalation and helps maintain the elasticity of the lungs for efficient gas exchange.

Related questions

Alveoli are coated by a thin film of?

surfactant


The role of surfactant in relation to water?

Surfactant is used in the lungs to break water tension within the alveoli. Without it, the alveoli will collapse and you will suffocate and die.


What is the fluid that lines the alveoli is produced by?

what is the name of the liquid layer that lines the alveoli


How are surfactant cella involved with keeping the alveoli from callapsing?

The surfactant doesn't allow the sides of the alveoli form sticking together. Infants that are born very early don't make surfactant and so have many problems.


What phospholipid decreases the surface tension of the alveoli?

surfactant


How are septal cells involved in keeping alveoli from collapsing?

Septal cells, specifically type II pneumocytes, produce surfactant, which reduces surface tension in the alveoli. This decreases the tendency of the alveoli to collapse by preventing them from sticking together. Additionally, surfactant helps to maintain the structural integrity of the alveoli during breathing.


What coats the inside of the alveoli to keep them open?

pericadium


What is the name of the lipid substance that coats the alveoli surface?

Surfactant


Breathing properly requires the presence of what compound that affects surface tension of alveoli in the lungs?

The correct answer is Surfactant


What is the protein fat compound that creates surface tension and keeps the walls of the alveoli from collapsing?

The compound is called surfactant, which is a mixture of lipids and proteins. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing and allowing for efficient gas exchange in the lungs.


What is the function of type 2 alveoli walls?

Type 2 alveoli cells secrete surfactant, which helps to reduce surface tension in the alveoli. This allows for easier expansion of the alveoli during inhalation and prevents them from collapsing during exhalation, promoting efficient gas exchange.


Reduces the surface tension of the fluid in the alveoli?

Surfactant, a substance produced by type II alveolar cells in the lungs, reduces the surface tension of fluid in the alveoli. This helps to prevent the collapse of alveoli during expiration and facilitates the exchange of gases in the lungs.