Define structure and functions of the pleura, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.1. The substance that lines the alveoli to help keep them open: 2. The smallest of the airways that do not participate in gas exchange: 3. The serous membrane that covers the lungs: 4. The fluid that reduces friction between the lungs and the thoracic cavity: fluid.5. The large airway that enters each lung at the hilum:
Question
Define structure and functions of the pleura, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli.1. The substance that lines the alveoli to help keep them open: 2. The smallest of the airways that do not participate in gas exchange: 3. The serous membrane that covers the lungs: 4. The fluid that reduces friction between the lungs and the thoracic cavity: fluid.5. The large airway that enters each lung at the hilum:
Solution
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The substance that lines the alveoli to help keep them open: This substance is called surfactant. It is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins which is secreted into the alveolar space by epithelial type II cells. The main function of surfactant is to lower the surface tension at the air/liquid interface within the alveoli of the lung, which prevents the alveoli from collapsing.
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The smallest of the airways that do not participate in gas exchange: These are the bronchioles. Bronchioles are the smallest airways in the lungs, they lead from the bronchi to the alveoli. They do not have cartilage like the bronchi and are instead surrounded by smooth muscle. While they do not participate in gas exchange, they play a crucial role in delivering air to the parts of the lung that do.
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The serous membrane that covers the lungs: This is the pleura. The pleura is a thin membrane which envelops the lungs and lines the walls of the chest cavity. It helps to protect the lungs and also creates a negative pressure within the chest cavity, which helps in lung expansion.
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The fluid that reduces friction between the lungs and the thoracic cavity: This is the pleural fluid. It is a thin layer of fluid that lubricates the pleural surfaces, allowing the lungs to move smoothly within the chest cavity during breathing.
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The large airway that enters each lung at the hilum: This is the bronchus. The bronchus is a major air passage of the lungs that diverge from the windpipe. They are the main conduit of air into the lungs. Each lung has one bronchus that enters it at the hilum, the bronchus then branches into smaller bronchi and then into bronchioles.
Similar Questions
The membrane that covers the surface of the lung is the pleura.
The alveoli are tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
How does the structure of the alveoli enhance lung function?Multiple choice question.Their maze-like shape makes the lung more resistant to infection.They increase the speed of inhalation and exhalation.They are filled with fluid that enhances gas transfer.They increase the surface area for gas exchange.
Fill in the Blank QuestionFill in the blank question.The pleura is a serous membrane closely attached to the lung surface. The pleura lines the pleural cavity.
The function of the pleural fluid is*1 pointto keep the alveoli moist.to collect and trap foreign particles.to prevent the alveoli from collapsing.to reduce friction on surrounding tissu
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