What is the primary component of surfactant?

Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is the primary component of pulmonary surfactant, which is crucial for reducing surface tension in the alveoli of the lungs. This phospholipid is essential because it helps prevent the alveoli from collapsing during exhalation, thus facilitating normal respiratory function.

Surfactant consists mostly of phospholipids, with DPPC being the most abundant and critical for its surface-active properties. The presence of DPPC allows for the formation of a monolayer at the air-liquid interface of the alveoli, significantly lowering surface tension, which is vital for efficient gas exchange and maintaining lung stability.

While phospholipids are a broader category that includes DPPC, the specific formulation and role of DPPC in surfactant make it the primary component responsible for the desired physiological effects in the lungs. This specificity underscores the importance of DPPC in respiratory physiology.