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Surfactant Effects
Surfactants are organic compounds which are amphiphilic which means that they contain both hydrophilic groups the heads and the hydrophobic groups the tails. Therefore surfactants are made up of water insoluble and water soluble components. They diffuse in water and adsorb in water and air interfaces or even oil water interfaces.
Surfactants are therefore compounds which reduce the surface tension in liquids, between solids and liquids or interfacial tension which occurs between two liquids. For this reason surfactants act as wetting agents, detergents, dispersants, emulsifiers or foaming agents.
Within the human body surfactants occur as a mixture of proteins and fats that are made in the lungs. The surfactants act as coat for the alveoli, with this the alveoli is prevented from sticking together when babies breathe out hence without this the lungs would not expand. Therefore the surfactants reduces surface tension within in the lungs thus enabling the alveoli within the lungs to expand.in this case the surfactant acts a s a...
The alveoli are usually very small and their surfaces are moist. Normally, in any wet surface there is the sticking together as a result of attraction between water molecules. Therefore surfactants are important in the alveoli because when they combine with water within the alveoli they lead to a reduced surface tension of water within the alveoli (Lynch, 2010).
Before one is born approximately three to four weeks, lungs begin the production of surfactants. When one is born and they take their first breath the alveoli which is fluid filled has to be opened in order to allow air in. without the presence of surfactants this would not be possible. This is the reason why infants born prematurely normally experience difficulty in breathing. Premature infants are born even before their lungs have been able to make enough surfactant. The low surfactant…
References
Lynch, R. (2010). Surfactant and RDS in premature infants. The FASEB Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2013 from http://www.fasebj.org/content/18/13/1624.full
Wrobel, S. (2012). Bubbles, Babies and Biology: The Story of Surfactant. The FASEB Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2013 from http://www.fasebj.org/content/18/13/1624e.full
Children's Hospitals and clinics of Minnesota. (2008).Surfactant. Retrieved June 3, 2013 from http://www.childrensmn.org/manuals/pfs/med/018914.pdf
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants/Neonates Prophylactic and early surfactant administration Later surfactant administration O: Reduced mortality and pulmonary complications (Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-BPD and other) Surfactant therapy involves intervention via various methods like oxygen, CPAP, mechanical ventilation, and surfactant. Many ask if surfactant therapy works. They also ask what is the ideal dose and when to administer the dose. Too much and too late could cause problems versus early with a low dose. When
The Function and Importance of Surfactant: Lab ReportIntroductionThe purpose of this lab report is to demonstrate the function and importance of surfactants using household products. Surfactants play an important role in the respiratory system, whereby they coat the alveoli walls of the lungs (National Library of Medicine - NLM, 2017). According to the NLM, the ability of surfactants to coat the alveoli walls is rooted in their surface tension reducing
correctly identify opportunities and threats to the products of soap and laundry detergent. Specifically, three marketing environment forces will be identified that impact this type of products. These include environmental quality factors such as sewage treatment and other environmental pollution issues in the detergent manufacturing plants, allergies to chemicals or other ingredients in the products themselves and product changes dictated by various changes in washing machines. In the essay,
Introduction BPD or bronchopulmonary dysplasia represents a chronic ailment of the lungs, largely occurring among premature babies requiring oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation for treating severe respiratory distress. It may also develop among immature babies displaying symptoms of early lung-related illness or babies born at their term but requiring rigorous ventilator therapy to treat serious lung ailments. In the last four decades, prenatal steroid administration, surfactant therapy, better nutrition, novel ventilator
Legislation on liability and compensation is needed. The United States should ratify the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 1984 Protocols. Federal planning for oil spills must be improved. Studies of the long-term environmental and health effects must be undertaken expeditiously and carefully. How NOAA responds to spills? NOAA is a 24/7 service that monitors and waits for a help if there is a spill. They help protect and conserve the natural resources. As soon as they
Discussions 1 The mechanics of breathing are greatly compromised in each of the cases in the following manners: infant respiratory distress syndrome leads air sacs to collapse when air is expired and increases the energy needed to breathe; emphysema leads to air sacs becoming damaged and enlarged, which makes it difficult to breathe; and pulmonary fibrosis leads to air sacs becoming scarred, which makes it difficult to breathe. The physiology that plays a