Final answer:
The amount of air reaching the alveoli per minute is influenced by the thickness of the respiratory membrane, airway resistance, and lung compliance, but not directly by the amount of surfactant. Hence, the correct answer is e) Answers a, b, and c are correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of air reaching the alveoli per minute depends on multiple factors, including the thickness of the respiratory membrane, the resistance of airways to airflow, lung compliance, and the amount of surfactant in the alveoli. The thickness of the respiratory membrane affects the diffusion of gases, with thinner membranes allowing for faster gas exchange. Airway resistance, often dictated by the diameter of the airways, can slow the flow of gases if the airways are too narrow or obstructed. The formula F = ΔP/R describes how flow (F) is related to the change in pressure (ΔP) and resistance (R).
Lung compliance is a measure of how easily the lungs can expand; greater compliance means the lungs can take in more air with less effort. Finally, pulmonary surfactant, a substance secreted by type II alveolar cells, plays a crucial role in reducing surface tension within the alveoli, preventing them from collapsing especially during expiration and allowing them to fill with air more easily during inhalation. Without adequate surfactant, the alveoli would be at risk of collapsing.