alveolar type 1 and 2 and respiratory membranne

alveolar type 1 function

gas exchange of co2 and o2

alveolar type 2 function

secrete pulmonary surfactant to reduce surface tension and collapse of alveoli

alveolar type 1 tissue

simple squamous epithelial cell with simple squamous epithelium of a capillary sharing basement membrane making the respiratory membrane

without alveolar type 2

lungs collapse and no gas exchange

what is the respiratory membrane composed of

plasma membrane of alveolar type 1 cells, endothelial cells of capillary, and fused basement membrane

respiratory membrane function

for external respiration across the membrane