Which lipid is a lung surfactant?
Phospholipids
Phospholipids are the major lipid component of surfactant, especially dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) (19, 20).
Is a lipid substance that prevents lung collapse?
Collapse of the lungs is called alectasis. Fortunately, the type II epithelial cells of the alveoli continually secrete a molecule called surfactant that solves this problem. Surfactant is a lipoprotein molecule that reduces the force of surface tension from water molecules on the lung tissue.
Which phospholipid is lung surfactant?
dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine
Pulmonary surfactant is composed of approximately 90% lipids and 10% proteins. The main phospholipid in surfactant is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), also known as lecithin.
Why do lungs need surfactant?
Pulmonary surfactant is essential for life as it lines the alveoli to lower surface tension, thereby preventing atelectasis during breathing. The hydrophobic proteins, SP-B and SP-C, together with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, confer surface tension-lowering properties to the material.
What secretes surfactant in the lungs?
The pulmonary surfactant is produced by the alveolar type-II (AT-II) cells of the lungs. It is essential for efficient exchange of gases and for maintaining the structural integrity of alveoli. Surfactant is a secretory product, composed of lipids and proteins.
What helps stabilize the alveoli preventing their collapse?
It is established that pulmonary surfactant reduces surface tension at the air–water interface in the alveoli, thereby preventing collapse of these structures at end-expiration. In this manner, surfactant reduces the work associated with breathing.
What are complex lipids?
Complex lipids are esters of fatty acid containing group in addition to an alcohol and a fatty acids. Examples: Phospholipids, Glycolipids etc. Functions: (a) Glycerolipids are the reservoir of storing energy. (b) Glycerophospholipids are used in metabolism and cell signalling process.
Where is lung surfactant produced?
What is pulmonary surfactant produced by?
Lung surfactant is produced in specialized cells found in the terminal lung branches, type II alveolar cells, which start producing lung surfactant immediately after birth (8).
What is another name for cardiolipin?
Cardiolipin (IUPAC name 1,3-bis(sn-3′-phosphatidyl)-sn-glycerol) is an important component of the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of the total lipid composition. It can also be found in the membranes of most bacteria.