High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Two types of pneumocytes(also named pneumonocyte) contribute to the maintenance of the alveoli of the lungs: Type I pneumocytes and Type II pneumocytes. These cells function to aid in gas exchange, secretion of pulmonary surfactant, and self-regeneration.Type I pneumocytes (squamous alveolar cells) are responsible for gas exchange in the alveoli and cover a majority of the alveolar surface area (95%). While type I pneumocytes account for most of the surface area, they are approximately half as numerous as type II cells, due to differences in size. Type I pneumocytes are large, thin cells stretched across a large surface area, while type II pneumocytes are smaller cells. Type I pneumocytes are unable to replicate and are susceptible to toxic insults. In the event of damage, Type II cells can proliferate and/or differentiate into type I cells to compensate. Type II pneumocytes (great alveolar cells) are granular and roughly cuboidal in shape.