Assignment Problem: Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal inherited disease affecting individuals of Northern European descent. Inheriting two recessive alleles results in faulty CFTR (chloride ion channels) in the body's epithelia. In the respiratory and digestive systems, this type of faulty ion channel leads to the production of a very viscous (thick) mucous by the mucosa.
1. CF patients suffer from a buildup of viscous mucous in their airways. How would this mucous affect breathing? Specifically, describe how Resistance, Surface tension, and/or Compliance would be affected, and whether Inspiration OR Expiration would be more problematic.