Some human infants, especially those born prematurely, suffer serious respiratory failure because of _____.
A) the sudden change from the uterine environment to the air
B) the overproduction of surfactants
C) lung collapse due to inadequate production of surfactant
D) mutations in the genes involved in lung formation
C) lung collapse due to inadequate production of surfactant
Explanation:
Babies born prematurely are more likely to develop diseases such as respiratory distress syndrome than babies born at nine months.
This is because premature babies do not yet have well-developed lung alveoli, and this implies in a lack of surfactant, a fluid that decreases surface tension within the alveoli, preventing collapse during the exhalation phase, and thus facilitating breathing.
