Final answer:
Type II Cells, while present in the alveoli and secreting surfactant, are not a structural component of the respiratory membrane itself. Therefore, D) Type II Cell is the correct answer as it is not a part of the membrane that facilitates gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking us to identify which of the listed components is not a part of the respiratory membrane. We know that the respiratory membrane is critically important for gas exchange in the lungs, allowing oxygen to enter the bloodstream and carbon dioxide to be expelled. This membrane comprises of various elements including the alveolar walls and the capillary walls.
Capillary Endothelial Cells make up the walls of the capillaries and are an integral part of the respiratory membrane, facilitating gas exchange. The Fused Basement Membranes are present between the alveolar and capillary walls and they provide structural support while still enabling gas exchange.
Type I Cells, or type I alveolar cells, form the structure of the alveoli and are thin, which helps in the easy exchange of gases. Type II Cells, or type II alveolar cells, are responsible for secreting pulmonary surfactant, but they are not a structural component of the respiratory membrane itself. They play a supportive role by reducing the surface tension. Thus, the correct option is D) Type II Cell.