Question

A young patient is experiencing difficulty in breathing and is coughing up thick mucous. Your patient also appears to be malnourished. You suspect a devastating genetic disease and get a DNA sample. How will you know if you hypothesis is correct?

Answer 1

To confirm the hypothesis, analysis of the DNA sample for genetic mutations or abnormalities is needed. Cystic fibrosis, caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, could be considered as a genetic disease based on the symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hypothesis in this case is that the young patient has a genetic disease. To confirm this hypothesis, the DNA sample will be analyzed for any genetic mutations or abnormalities. In the case of thick mucous and difficulty breathing, a specific genetic disease that could be considered is cystic fibrosis. A mutation in the CFTR gene leads to the production of a faulty protein that causes the mucus to be thick and sticky. By identifying this genetic mutation in the DNA sample, the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis can be confirmed.