Surface Tension And Surfactant In Alveoli

Question 1

What are two things in the alveoli that cause surface tension

Answer 1

Air/water interaction
Collapsing of alveoli

Question 2

What is the function of type 1 alveolar cells?

Answer 2

Gas exchange

Question 3

What shapes are type 1 and type 2 alveolar cells?

Answer 3

Type 1 - squamous epithelial cells
Type 2- cuboidal epithelial cells

Question 4

What is the function of type 2 alveolar cells

Answer 4

Surfactant production

Question 5

What is surfactant

Answer 5

A lipoprotein complex
90% lipids 10% proteins

Question 6

When does surfactant production begin?

Answer 6

24th week gestation

Question 7

When does surfactant production increase in the fetus?

Answer 7

Close to the 34th week gestation

Question 8

Why is surfactant production slow in the start and then increases more towards the 34th week?

Answer 8

Cortisol production starts - glucocorticoid
It promotes the production of surfactant

Question 9

Where is surfactant stored in the type 2 alveolar cells?

Answer 9

Lamellar bodies

Question 10

What form is surfactant in when it is exocytosed from the type 2 alveolar cells?

Answer 10

Tubular myelin

Question 11

What is important about Sp-A and Sp-D

Answer 11

They play an important role in opsonisation reactions

Question 12

What is important about Sp-B and Sp-C

Answer 12

Important in the distribution of surfactant in the alveoli