Question

a decrease in the protein surfactant will cause?

a. the surfactant to not be produced

b. the surfactant to clump together more

c. the surfactant to increase surface tension

d. the surfactant to be produced by type I alveolar cells

e. the surfactant to be produced by alveolar macrophages

Answer 1

C.

The lung surfactant proteins are produced by the type II cells with beta adrenergic receptors in the alveolar endothelium; which reduces the surface tension at the air/liquid interface within the alveoli.This lowers the efforts of breathing for an extend and prevent alveolar collapse at the end of expiration.

If surfactant production is decreased, the surface tension is increased;it will cause sticking of the tissues surrounding the air sac in the lung after exhalation resulting in alveolar collapse.The Ventilation decreases accordingly and the tissue will become fibrotic.(Lung compliance decreases).