Final answer:
Type II alveolar cells are cuboidal and contain lamellar bodies that store surfactants, which are crucial for reducing surface tension within the alveoli to prevent collapse and facilitate breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Type II alveolar cells are cuboidal in shape and contain lamellar bodies that store surfactants for reducing surface tension. These surfactants are crucial for proper lung function as they decrease the surface tension at the air/liquid interface within the alveoli, preventing the collapse of these air sacs during exhalation and making it easier to breathe. Type II alveolar cells are interspersed among the more numerous type I alveolar cells which are squamous epithelial cells primarily involved in the gas exchange process due to their thinness and high permeability to gases.