What might be the clinical significance of loss of surfactant production by type II alveolar cells?

A) Failure of type II alveolar cells to produce surfactant may result in alveolar collapse.
B) Reduced amounts or absence of surfactant will result in more efficient alveolar inflation upon inspiration.
C) Surfactant is not needed for proper lung function, so there would be no consequence if it were not produced.
D) Because surfactant is produced by type I alveolar cells, there would be no clinical effect of reduced surfactant production by type II alveolar cells.