All of the following are true about type-II pneumocytes, EXCEPT:
Type II alveolar cells (type II pneumocytes or septal cells) are cuboidal cells interspersed among the type I alveolar cells. Type II cells divide to replace their own population after injury and to provide progenitor cells for the type I cell population. Lamellar bodies can be considered markers for type II cells. They contain various lipids, phospholipids, and proteins that are continuously synthesized and released at the apical cell surface. The secreted material spreads over the entire inner alveolar surface as a film of complexed lipoproteins and water that acts as pulmonary surfactant. Ref: Mescher A.L. (2013). Chapter 17. The Respiratory System. In A.L. Mescher (Ed), Junqueira's Basic Histology, 13e.
provide progenitor cells for the type I cell population
Also called septal cells
No secretory function
Lamellar bodies are formed