Question

Why does a person with CF, such as Jeffrey Miller, have thick mucus? Your answer should include the following: mutation, codons, amino acid, primary structure, tertiary structure, endomembrane system, Cl-, water, and tonicity.

Answer 1

Thick mucus in CF patients is caused by a CFTR gene mutation that affects the protein's structure and function, leading to improper Cl- transport and resulting in abnormally thick mucus due to disrupted water balance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Explanation of Cystic Fibrosis' Effect on Mucus

A person with CF, such as Jeffrey Miller, has thick mucus due to a mutation in a gene called CFTR. This genetic change alters the primary structure of the CFTR protein, which consequently disrupts its tertiary structure. Normally, this protein helps move Cl- ions across the cell membrane, a process essential for maintaining the right water balance in mucus, through the endomembrane system.

Unfortunately, in CF, the mutated CFTR gene results in a defective protein that is often not incorporated into the cell membrane and is degraded instead. Consequently, Cl- ions are not transported properly, disrupting the water concentration gradient due to altered tonicity. Without sufficient Cl- ions, osmotic pressure fails to pull water into the mucus, resulting in the characteristic thick and sticky mucus found in CF patients. This mucus builds up, particularly in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing, increased bacterial infections, and related health issues.