Question

Pulmonary surfactant increases 

A. The surface tension of the fluid lining alveolar walls. 

B. Lung compliance. 

C. In effectiveness as the lungs are inflated. 

D. In amount when pulmonary blood flow is interrupted. 

E. In amount in fetal lungs during the last month of pregnancy.

Answer 1

A. False It decreases surface tension. 

B. True It permits the lungs to be more easily inflated. 

C. False The decreasing effect as lungs inflate helps prevent overinflation. 

D. False It decreases; this may lead to local collapse of the lung. 

E. True Premature babies may have breathing problems due to surfactant deficiency