Which of the following statements best characterizes the pattern of ventilation in the lungs during quiet breathing?

A) Surfactant keeps each region of the lung equally distended and ventilated.
B) Gravity in the erect individual keeps the base of the lung more poorly expanded and it receives less ventilation than the apex.
C) Gravity in the erect individual keeps the base of the lung more poorly expanded but it receives more ventilation than the apex.
D) Gravity in the erect individual keeps the base of the lung more expanded and ventilated than the apex.
E) Gravity in the erect individual keeps the base of the lung more expanded and less ventilated than the apex.