Explain what occurs when the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene
contains a mutation.
What will be an ideal response?
CFTR is a transport protein that transports (pumps) chloride ions out of epithelial cells that line
passageways and ducts of the lungs, liver, pancreas, intestines, reproductive system, and skin. Water
follows the chloride ions resulting in a thin watery film over epithelial tissue surfaces. The most
common mutation in CFTR is a small deletion in the gene that removes one amino acid from a CFTR
protein. An individual with two mutant copies of the genes will have all of their CFTR molecules
mutated and chloride transport will be defective. Individuals with only one mutant copy will have
enough working CFTR molecules for normal chloride transport. The individual with two mutant
copies with have cystic fibrosis. As a result, mucus will stick to dry epithelial tissue, and build up into
a thick mass. The lungs of the individual will have abnormally high mucus and diminished protection
form bacterial infections. Lung function will decline to the point that the individual will die.
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Collectively, the amygdala, olfactory bulbs, hippocampus, and parts of the thalamus and hypothalamus are said to form
A. the limbic system. B. the reticular formation. C. the basal nuclei. D. the sympathetic division. E. the frontal lobe.
All of the following participate in apoptosis except
A) caspases. B) death-promoting proteins. C) mitochondria. D) Bcl-2. E) calcium ions
The place where RNA polymerase first associates with DNA so that transcription can begin is called
the ____ and is located ____ of the transcribed region.
a. promoter; upstream b. initiator; downstream c. initiator; upstream d. promoter; downstream e. intron; downstream
The genetic information in viruses
A. is always DNA. B. is always RNA. C. is found in the nucleus of the virus. D. can be replicated outside of a cell. E. is either DNA or RNA.