CYSTIC FIBROSIS - A DISORDER OF MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

A great variety of proteins have roles in moving molecules and ions across cell membranes. Passive transport proteins permit certain substances to diffuse down concentration gradients by moving through the protein's interior. Active transport proteins use ATP energy to pump substances across the membrane against their concentration gradients. To investigate the importance of transport proteins, we will consider the effects of cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder in which there is a defect in a transport protein.

ACTIVITY

In this activity you will learn about the inheritance, symptoms, and treatment of cystic fibrosis by visiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation site. With this background, you will visit the National Public Radio site to download and listen to the story of a young woman who suffers from this disease.

Part 1.

In this part of the activity you will visit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to learn about the causes and symptoms of this disease.

Use your browser to go to http://www.cff.org/

Read the information in the section "About Cystic Fibrosis & The 65 Roses."

Use the information provided on this site to answer the following questions:.

  1. How common is cystic fibrosis? How is it inherited?
  2. How is CF diagnosed.
  3. What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis? What organ systems are affected?

Part 2.

In this part of the activity you will visit the National Public Radio site to listen to the audio diary of a young female college student who has cystic fibrosis.

*You'll need to have a RealAudio Player on your computer to listen to this file. If you don't have one, you can download the basic version for no charge from http://www.real.com/.

Use your browser to go to http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2002/aug/socalledlungs/index.html.

Read the information, and then listen to the segment.

  1. Why does Laura say she's already had her midlife crisis?
  2. What are the main symptoms that continually plague Laura? What causes these symptoms?
  3. What treatment does Laura decide to have? What leads her to this decision?
  4. How successful was Laura's treatment?