What mechanism is behind the reduction of surface tension in alveoli of lungs?

Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins which is secreted by the epithelial type II cells into the alveolar space. Its main function is to reduce the surface tension at the air/liquid interface in the lung.

What reduces surface tension in the lung?

Pulmonary Surfactant Surfactant is a lipoprotein molecule that reduces the force of surface tension from water molecules on the lung tissue. The main reason that surfactant has this function is due to a lipid called dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) which contains hydophilic and hydrophobic ends.

How does surfactant reduce the surface tension of water in the lungs?

Surfactant reduces the surface tension of water in the lungs by disrupting the hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

How surfactant reduce the surface tension?

The reason for the reduction in the surface tension when surfactant molecules adsorb at the water surface is that the surfactant molecules replace some of the water molecules in the surface and the forces of attraction between surfactant and water molecules are less than those between two water molecules, hence the …

How does surfactant reduce the surface tension of water in the lungs quizlet?

Surfactant reduces the surface tension exerted on the alveolus. It works by opposing the intermolecular attractive forces between the liquid molecules that line the alveoli.

How is surface tension reduced?

Some liquids such as oil and kerosene can destroy surface tension in water. Adding soap or detergent reduces surface tension in water. Increasing the temperature of the liquid reduces surface tension.

What does reducing surface tension mean?

Surface tension is a physical property equal to the amount of force per unit area necessary to expand the surface of a liquid. The addition of substances called surfactants can reduce the surface tension of a liquid. For example, adding detergent to water decreases its surface tension.

What is meant by reducing surface tension?

How does surfactant reduce surface tension?

How does surfactant reduce surface tension quizlet?

What is the main function for surfactant? It reduces surface tension of alveolar fluid by disrupting the cohesive forces of water molecules.

How does surface tension work?

The surface tension arises due to cohesive interactions between the molecules in the liquid. At the bulk of the liquid, the molecules have neighboring molecules on each side. As explained, the cohesive force between the molecules causes surface tension. The stronger the cohesive force, the stronger the surface tension.