answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

It prevents a pleural friction rub. Its like a lubricant for the lungs to move up and down without any friction.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why does surfactant reduce surface tension?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What are surfactants?

A substance that tends to reduce the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved.


What does a surfactant do?

The main function or job of a surfactant is to reduce surface tension. This process is used on liquids while it dissolves.


What is intra-alveolar surface tension due to?

Intra-alveolar surface tension is due to the presence of surfactant molecules that reduce surface tension within the alveoli, preventing lung collapse by maintaining alveolar stability during breathing. Surfactant helps to reduce the work of breathing and facilitates gas exchange by preventing alveolar collapse at the end of expiration.


What describes the role of surfactant in the respiratory system?

Surfactant helps reduce surface tension within the alveoli, thus preventing each alveolus from callapsing as air moves in and out during respiration.


What substance is made by the lungs to help reduce the surface tension of water in the alveolar?

Pulmonary surfactant...see link for more information.


What phospholipid decreases the surface tension of the alveoli?

surfactant


Does surface tension change when bleach is added to it?

Yes, surface tension can change when bleach is added to water. Bleach is a surfactant that can reduce the surface tension of water by disrupting the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. This can lead to a decrease in surface tension and cause water to spread more easily.


What causes intra alveolar-surface tension?

Intra-alveolar surface tension is caused by the presence of fluid lining the alveoli, mainly composed of surfactant molecules. Surfactant helps reduce surface tension by lowering the cohesive forces between water molecules, preventing alveolar collapse during exhalation and allowing for efficient gas exchange in the lungs.


Is surfactant a problem in the pleural cavity?

Surfactant is a fluid secreted by alveolar cells in the lungs to reduce surface tension and prevent collapse. Surfactant is not typically present in the pleural cavity, and its presence there could indicate a medical issue such as lung injury or infection.


The sustance that reduces surface tensin in the alveoli is?

Surfactant is a substance which lines the inside of alveoli. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which have hydrophyllic and hydrophobic properties. This allows it to reduce surface tension.


Breathing properly requires the presence of what compound that affects surface tension of alveoli in the lungs?

The correct answer is Surfactant


What is the protein fat compound that creates surface tension and keeps the walls of the alveoli from collapsing?

The compound is called surfactant, which is a mixture of lipids and proteins. Surfactant reduces surface tension in the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing and allowing for efficient gas exchange in the lungs.