Grayce P. Storey
Cystic Fibrosis is a hereditary disorder that affects the mucus producing glands in the pancreas, lungs, and intestines; causing a thick, sticky mucus to form. It is one of the most common life threatening genetic disorders in caucasians, affecting one in 1,500 to 2,500 infants. Cystic Fibrosis is very rare in blacks and orientals.
The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin and enzymes essential for proper food digestion. In cystic fibrosis the pancreatic ducts are obstructed and this causes a deficiency or total absence of its secretion. This problem leads to an inability to digest fats and consequently leads to malnutrition. In most cases insulin is still produced and diabetes is not a side affect.
In cystic fibrosis a chronic infection can occur when the mucus producing glands of the respiratory system are affected. This is characterized by the lungs becoming filled with little cysts containing pus and the delicate tissue in the air sacs is replaced by fibrin which is rigid. This can bring on hacking coughs, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Severe lung infection leading to respiratory arrest is a primary cause of death in a person with cystic fibrosis.
A diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis is the sweat test. This test measures the amount of salt in perspiration especially chloride. An affected person will have higher than normal amounts of chloride.
There is no cure for cystic fibrosis, only treatment of symptoms; antibiotics for infection, medication to thin mucus in the lungs, high calorie low fat diets to help with digestion, vitamin supplements, and supplementation with pancreatic enzymes.
Cystic Fibrosis is inherited only if both parents are carriers of the gene. It cannot be passed on if only one parent is a carrier.
Cystic Fibrosis family pedigree
(figure available in print form)
Vocabulary
HEREDITY
TRAIT
CHARACTER
GENETICS
GENE
DOMINANT
RECESSIVE
CHROMOSOME
Y CHROMOSOME
X CHROMOSOME
MEIOSIS
MITOSIS
PUREBRED
HYBRIDS
MUTATION
DNA
INHERIT
HEMOGLOBIN
SICKLE-CELL ANEMIA
THALASSEMIA
HEMOPHILIA
CYTOPLASM
NUCLEUS
GERM CELL
EMBRYO
RNA
SPINDLE
CHROMATIN
GENETIC CODE