Pulmonary surfactant Flashcards
1
Q
What is surfactant?
A
mixture of phospholipids, carbohydrates and proteins
2
Q
What cells secrete surfactant
A
type 2 pneumocytes.
3
Q
What is the main functioning component of surfactant and what is its role?
A
dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)
=> reduces alveolar surface tension
4
Q
As alveoli decrease in size, surfactant concentration is increased. TRUE/FALSE?
A
TRUE => helping prevent the alveoli from collapsing
5
Q
Surfactant reduces the muscular force needed to expand the lungs (i.e. decreases the work of breathing). TRUE/FALSE?
A
TRUE
6
Q
How does surfactant prevent the alveoli from collapsing at the end of each expiration?
A
lowers the elastic recoil at low lung volumes
7
Q
A