1. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that causes the endocrine glands to work incorrectly.
False: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder
... [Show More] that causes the EXOCRINE (not endocrine) glands to work incorrectly. Exocrine glands are glands that produce and transfer its secretions (ex: mucous, tears, sweat, digestive enzymes) via DUCTS to an intended area of the body, rather than directly into the bloodstream. This is different from endocrine glands that don’t have ducts but directly secrete chemicals (like hormones) directly into the blood.
2. Select the systems below that are affected by cystic fibrosis:
A. Reproductive
B. Lymphatic
C. Respiratory
D. Gastrointestinal
E. Neuro
F. Integumentary
The answers are A, C, D and F. Cystic fibrosis affects the respiratory system (this causes thick mucus to build up in the lungs and it can affect both the upper and lower respiratory system like the sinuses), gastrointestinal (pancreas, intestines, and liver are all affected due to thick mucus), and integumentary (skin’s sweat glands will make extremely salty sweat).
3. You’re educating the parents of an 8-month-old, who was recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, about the disease. You explain to the parents that the child has a gene mutation on the ____________. The gene that is specifically mutated is called?
A. endocrine glands; Hbg S gene
B. exocrine glands; CFTR gene
C. endocrine glands; Chromosome 21
D. exocrine glands; HTT gene
The answer is B. Cystic fibrosis affects the EXOCRINE glands, specifically the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator gene (CFTR). This is a protein that controls the channels of sodium and chloride…hence the sodium and water transport in and out of the cell. These channels are within the membrane of these cells that makes our sweat, mucous, tears, digestive enzymes. Since it is mutated the fluids that are normally thin now become very thick and sticky, which causes many problems in the organs like the lungs, pancreas, intestine etc. [Show Less]