asked 94.3k views
1 vote
Lung compliance is increased by increasing __________.

a) lung elasticity
b) the surface tension inside alveoli
c) the amount of surfactant inside the alveoli
d) the thickness of the respiratory membrane
e) Answers a and b are correct.
f) Answers a and c are correct.

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Lung compliance is increased by increasing the amount of surfactant in the alveoli, which reduces surface tension and makes inhalation and exhalation easier.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lung compliance is increased by increasing the amount of surfactant inside the alveoli. Surfactants help to reduce the surface tension within the alveoli, which enables them to easily expand during inhalation and prevents them from collapsing during expiration. Thus, the correct answer is f) Answers a and c are correct.

The surface tension in the alveoli opposes their expansion and increases resistance to inflow of air. Surfactants serve to change this tension, which allows the lungs to have a greater potential volume. The greater this volume, the lower the air pressure within the lungs, facilitating easier breathing and decreasing the work of breathing.

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User Hmartinezd
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