Reference no: EM133454952

Assignment:

Kate and Mike were never going to have biological children. They had settled on this from the start. Kate had cystic fibrosis and Mike was a carrier of the mutation that causes the disease. The thought of intentionally bringing a child into this world that had a high chance of having the disease was not acceptable in their minds. Their suffering and experience with cystic fibrosis was not something they wanted for their child. Additionally, Kate's life would be shorter than most, which likely meant that any child they had might grow up without a mother.

1. Briefly describe the respiratory and digestive signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis. List any other symptoms that are characteristic of cystic fibrosis.

2. What is the average life expectancy for patients with cystic fibrosis?

3. How common is cystic fibrosis? Are there any ethnic groups affected more than others?

4. Which gene is linked to this disease?

5. Briefly describe the function of the protein encoded by this gene.

6. Briefly describe the type of mutation that occurs in this gene. State the most common mutation found in patients with this disease.

7. What is the manner of inheritance for cystic fibrosis: recessive (must inherit a defective gene from each parent) or dominant (only need to inherit a single copy of the defective gene from either parent)?

8. Is there a treatment for cystic fibrosis?