Final answer:
Pulmonary surfactant is a complex mixture of lipids and proteins. Its main function is to lower surface tension in the lungs and stabilize the alveoli.
Step-by-step explanation:
The complex mixture of lipids and proteins that is secreted into the alveolar space, whose deficiency leads to lung immaturity and is the primary cause of respiratory distress syndrome in neonates, is called pulmonary surfactant. Pulmonary surfactant is composed of a combination of lecithin and sphingomyelin lipids. Its main function is to lower surface tension at the air-liquid interface in the lungs, thereby stabilizing the alveoli and facilitating proper lung inflation.