title: The physical properties of an effective lung surfactant.
abstract: It is suggested that the phospholipids at the alveolar/air interface exhibit both thermodynamic (equilibrium) and kinetic forces during the course of a respiratory cycle. The alveolae are kept open at full expiration by a residue of nearly pure dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine which is condensed and therefore, incompressible at 37 degrees C.
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants