Question

Cystic fibrosis is a inherited genetic disorder caused my two copies of a defective recessive gene that causes what?

Answer 1

The Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene on chromosome 7 has a deletion of CTT. Hence, this causes the chloride channels to be non-functional, causing a loss in regulation in chloride ion concentration, and hence water potential inside and outside the cell. This is why the mucus becomes sticky and thick.