Question

Surface tension of water is one of the factors affecting lung compliance. A chemical produced in the lung, known as __________, is responsible for reducing surface tension of water in the lungs.

Answer 1

Surfactant is a chemical produced in the lungs that reduces surface tension of water in the lungs and prevents alveoli from collapsing during expiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Surfactant, a chemical produced in the lungs, is responsible for reducing surface tension of water in the lungs. It is a complex mixture of phospholipids and lipoproteins that works to lower the surface tension between the alveoli tissue and the air in the alveoli. By reducing the surface tension, surfactant prevents the alveoli from collapsing during expiration.