Surfactant Is Necessary to Prevent Collapse of the Alveoli in the Lung

question 15

Multiple Choice

Surfactant is necessary to prevent collapse of the alveoli in the lung because in its absence, water molecules

• A) vaporize and take up much less space.
• B) are more strongly attracted to each other by van der Waals forces.
• C) are more strongly attracted to each other by cohesive forces.
• D) congregate around nearby proteins to which they adhere.

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Definitions:

Constant of Proportionality

The fixed value that relates two proportional quantities.

Directly Proportional

A relationship between two variables wherein they increase or decrease at the same ratio.

Fifth Power

Raising a number or expression to the exponent of five, multiplying it by itself four times.

Hooke's Law

A principle of physics that states the force needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance is proportional to that distance.