This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: None, Subject name: Medicine
In RDS which is damaged? 
Select and explain. 
A. Type 2 pneumocytes, B. Type 1 pneumocytes, C. Clara cells, D. Clara cells
B: Type 1 pneumocytes
Answer: B: Type 1 pneumocytes 
Explanation: In ARDS, alveolar capillary endothelial cells & type 1 pneumocytes(alveolar epithelial cells) are damaged/injured, leading to the loss of the normally tight alveolar barrier to fluid and macromolecules. 
As a result, oedema fluid rich in protein accumulates in the interstitial & alveolar spaces. Condensed plasma proteins aggregate in the air spaces with cellular debris and dysfunctional pulmonary surfactant to form hyaline membrane whirls.