Cells - Pneumocytes

                         Eastern Black Rhino - Tissue - Cell Type - Pneumocytes

                         Function:

                             ~ Type I - form the alveolar wall structure, allow exchange of gases.

                             ~ Type II - replaces damaged type I cells, production and secretion of pulmonary surfactant.

                          Feedback:

                              Whenever Type I pneumocyte cells are damaged (possibly from an acute lung injury), Type II pneumocyte cells will respond and replace them, taking over their functions of forming the alveolar wall structure and allowing for the exchange of gases.

                         Fun fact:

                              Due to the flat shape of Type 1 pneumocyte cells, they cover about 95% of the surface of the alveoli but are only 40% of the actual cells.