Final answer:
Clubbing of fingers and toes is a symptom associated with cystic fibrosis, which is an autosomal recessive genetic disease resulting from mutations in the CFTR gene, affecting chloride ion transport and mucus production.
Step-by-step explanation:
A symptom associated with cystic fibrosis where the fingers and toes have a rounded appearance is known as clubbing. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited autosomal recessive genetic disease that causes the production of sticky mucus which clogs respiratory and digestive systems.
This leads to problems such as frequent lung infections and difficulty in absorbing nutrients properly. The rounded appearance of fingers and toes, or clubbing, is a result of long-term oxygen deprivation and changes in the connective tissues under the nail beds due to chronic respiratory issues.
As a genetic condition, cystic fibrosis is caused by mutations in the gene for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). This gene is responsible for transporting chloride ions across cell membranes, which helps control the movement of water in tissues, necessary for the production of free-flowing mucus. In cystic fibrosis, the mutated CFTR protein leads to the production of thick and sticky mucus that can obstruct various organs and cause the characteristic symptoms of the disease.