Examples of surfactant in the following topics:
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- The surface tension of alveolar fluid is regulated by pulmonary surfactant, allowing efficient respiration.
- They lack sufficient surfactant to initiate proper breathing, and therefore, go into respiratory distress.
- Fortunately, the type II epithelial cells of the alveoli continually secrete a molecule called surfactant that solves this problem.
- Surfactant is a lipoprotein molecule that reduces the force of surface tension from water molecules on the lung tissue.
- It is treated through pulmonary surfactant replacement therapy and mechanical ventilator treatment until the infant's lungs are old enough to secrete enough surfactant to survive on their own.
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- Specialized cells of the respiratory epithelium appear, including type II alveolar cells that secrete pulmonary surfactant.
- This surfactant is important in reducing the surface tension at the air-alveolar surface, allowing expansion of the terminal saccules.
- This causes a lack of surfactant, leading to increased surface tension within the alveoli, subsequent alveoli collapse, and absence of gas exchange, a condition known as respiratory distress syndrome.
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- Type II (Great Alveolar) cells: These are the site of surfactant production in the lungs, making them critical for maintaining the elastic recoil of the lung.
- The surfactant produced by type II epithelial cells is very important for maintaining the elastic recoil of the lungs.
- Without surfactant, the surface tension would cause the lungs to collapse during exhalation, making normal breathing impossible.
- Surfactant is first produced by human lungs between 24 and 28 weeks in the womb, and many infants born prematurely do not have enough surfactant to breathe on their own after birth.
- Surfactant replacement therapy is necessary to save the lives of these premature births.
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- Bile acts as a surfactant, helping to emulsify the fats in the food, in the same way that soap emulsifies fat.
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- The elasticity of the lungs is due to molecules called elastins in the extracellular matrix of lung tissues and is maintained by surfactant, a chemical that prevents the elasticity of the lungs from becoming too great by reducing surface tension from water.
- Without surfactant the lungs would collapse at the end of expiration, making it much more difficult to inhale again.
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- Following birth, the expression and re-uptake of surfactant, which begins production at 20 weeks gestation, is accelerated.
- Expression of surfactant into the alveoli is necessary to prevent alveolar closure.
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- Therefore, surfactant secreted by type II epithelial cells increases lung compliance by reducing the force of surface tension.
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- A molecule called surfactant (secreted by the alveoli) prevents the surface tension from becoming too great and collapsing the lungs.
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- The lungs are developing branches of the respiratory tree as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help the air sacs inflate once born.