Question

If there is a deficiency of surfactant the disease is
(a) Emphysema
(b) Respiratory distress syndrome
(c) Bronchitis
(d) All of the above

Answer 1

Hint: It is a disorder that is related to the breathing in the case of young born children of infants. The surfactant in the case of breathing is the pulmonary surfactant whose presence is important for the basic health system.

Complete answer
The pulmonary surfactant is the constituent of two molecules that includes the lipids and the proteins thus making a lipoprotein complex. They are found in the cell of the alveoli where they absorb the water and air from the surface of the alveoli and thus reduce the surface tension. The deficiency of pulmonary surfactant will result in the causing of Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the lungs of the immature born babies, that are born before or at six weeks of their due dates or at around 37 weeks of the gestation period.

Additional information
Emphysema is a lung disease in which the alveoli also called the air sacs got damaged leading to the weakening and rupturing of their inner walls thus reducing the surface area of the lungs. The supply of oxygen is less so the air does not reach the lungs completely. The disease may occur due to continuous or some pulmonary disorder. Its treatment requires lots of time and may not even be that successful.
The inflammation in the tubes of the bronchi or the bronchial tubes is called bronchitis. It may lead to severe coughing due to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs. The disease may be either chronic or acute based on the symptoms.

So, the correct answer is ‘Respiratory distress syndrome’.

Note:
Respiratory distress syndrome will lead to the shortness of breath, pain in the chest while breathing, heavy breathing, low body weight, weakness, poor blood circulation, and low production of urine in the body. This disorder can be treated by doing lung exercise of breathing, oxygen therapy, and may even require breathing support.