Background

BG

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening disease passed down genetically that causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs, digestive tract, and other areas of the body. If one is inflicted with the disease they expect to have a life expectancy of about thirty-five years (site). It is the most common disorder in Caucasians occurring at a rate of one in two thousand and approximately one in twenty Americans is a carrier of the disease, carrying one mutant copy (The Promise). It is also one of the most prevalent chronic lung diseases in children and adolescents. The disorder is caused by a mutation in cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. The function of this protein is to transport chloride ions across the membrane. When the chloride e ions leave it makes the inside of the cell hypotonic and water leaves the cell by osmosis, diluting the mucus on the outer surface of the cell (site). Without this protein, the mucus does not have the aid of water to dilute it, causing it to thicken and build up. This mucus lines the vessels and can be an optimal breeding ground for bacterial growth that can cause immune, digestive, and respiratory problems (Novel approaches).


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