Final answer:
The statement in question is true as the airways in normal lungs are sufficiently wide to ensure minimal resistance to airflow. Factors leading to increased resistance can affect breathing, highlighting the importance of airway diameter in respiratory function. Pulmonary surfactant also plays a role in managing surface tension and facilitating lung expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'The diameter of the airways in normal lungs is generally great enough that little resistance is offered to airflow' is true. In normally functioning lungs, the airways are designed to be wide enough to facilitate the flow of air with minimal resistance. This is crucial for efficient gas exchange and overall respiratory function.
According to the formula F = ΔP/R, where F is the flow rate of air, ΔP represents the pressure change, and R is the resistance of the airways, it is evident that a larger airway diameter results in lower resistance. However, if the lungs become stiff and less pliable or if there is an increase in resistance, as can occur in various respiratory diseases, the airflow can be significantly compromised, making breathing more effortful. Pulmonary surfactant plays a vital role in reducing surface tension, which aids in preventing alveolar collapse and facilitates easier lung expansion.
In cases where disease leads to increased airway resistance, the patient may experience difficulty breathing, and this is typically associated with conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other forms of airway constriction.
Furthermore, physiological dead space refers to areas of the lungs where air is present but gas exchange does not occur effectively. Causes of increased physiological dead space include ventilation-perfusion mismatch, obstruction, or damage to the respiratory tissue.