Effects of Kartagener Syndrome An abnormal form of the motor protein dynein causes Kartagener .syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by chronic sinus and lung infections. Biofilms form in the thick mucus that collects in the airways, and the resulting bacterial activities and inflammation damage tissues. Men affected by Kartagener syndrome can produce sperm (FIGURE 4.20) but are typically infertile; some of them have become fathers after their sperm cells were injected directly into eggs. Review Figure 4.19, then explain these observations.
FIGURE 4.20 An effect of Kartagener syndrome. Cross-section of a sperm flagellum an affected man (left) and an unaffected man (right).
To explain: The observations regarding the effect of the Kartagener syndrome causing male infertility.
Introduction: Kartagener syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic condition characterized by the ciliary motility disorder. Cilia are hair-like structures lining the mucus membranes of the nose, lungs, and sinuses. In Kartagener syndrome, the cilia do not move properly and defects are found in the dynein (component of cilia) arms. This results in the abnormal morphology of the sperm tails and bronchial cilia.
Explanation of Solution
Refer to Fig. 4.19, “How eukaryotic flagella and cilia move” in the textbook. Flagella and ciliary movements are provided by the motor protein dynein attached to the nine microtubules arranged in a circle. Abnormality in the dynein arms causes Kartagener syndrome. Refer to Fig. 4.20, “An effect of the Kartagener syndrome” in the textbook. The lack of the dynein arms result in the abnormal morphology of the sperm tails and bronchial cilia causing lung infections, chronic sinus, and infertility. Men with Kartagener syndrome are infertile but they produce sperms. They are infertile because the defected dynein would affect the movement of the flagella and cilia. As a result, there would be abnormal sperm motility and it would not be able to swim normally for fertilization.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 4 Solutions
Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap Course List)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Biology Illinois Edition (Glencoe Science)
Laboratory Manual for Holes Human Anatomy & Physiology Fetal Pig Version
Human Anatomy
Genetics: Analysis and Principles
Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
- The zygote is described as totipotent because it ultimately gives rise to all the cells in your body including the highly specialized cells of your nervous system. Describe this transition, discussing the steps and processes that lead to these specialized cells.arrow_forward) Describe the action of the lysosomes in various “unique” situations, such as the destruction of specific cells during embryonic development, or the part they play in the shedding of the endometrium of the uterus during the menstrual cycle.arrow_forwardthe effect of bpa on STAT1 and STAT3 phosphorylation in RAW264.7 cellsarrow_forward
- Sperm need significant amounts of ATP to fuel their travel through the reproductive tract. This ATP is generated via oxidative metabolism of the glucose and fructose contained in the seminal fluid. These sugars are large polar molecules that enter sperm cells via glucose transporters or GLUTS. One such GLUT protein is depicted in the image below. When GLUTS recognize and bind glucose, they undergo a conformational change releasing glucose on the other side of the membrane. Due to the persistent high energy demands of the sperm cell, these sugars are continually being catabolized (broken down). GLUTs mediate what type of transport of glucose and fructose across the membrane? ________________ Is this an active or passive process? _________________ What type of transport protein are the GLUTs described in this question? ___________________ How many transmembrane domains does this GLUT have? _______________arrow_forwardDuring apoptosis, phosphatidylserine undergoes transverse movement (flip-flop). Explain why this could help identify apoptotic cells to phagocytic cells for engulfment and disposal.arrow_forwardImportant roles and functions of Microtubule-Associated Proteins (MAPs) *** for increase in stability and for the promotion of stability? to increase binding capacity of the motor proteins to associate the subunits with the corresponding motor proteins for the phosphorylation of the plus ends of the microtubulearrow_forward
- Some sperm mitochondria enter an egg during fertilization, but as sperm mature these mitochondria are taggedwith a protein (ubiquitin) that marks them for destruction. What organelle carries out this destruction process?arrow_forwardTrue/False with Justification. Indicate whether the statement is true or false. Then, regardless of whether you choose true or false, explain your reasoning. The Wee1 kinase could be considered the product of a tumor suppressor gene. A cell containing a mutant form of the Rb protein that cannot be phosphorylated would be blocked at the G1 -> S checkpoint.arrow_forwardAs a sperm cell finally approaches its final target, its acrosome becomes activated. The acrosome is a specialized organelle found in the cell’s head region and activation results in the exocytosis of several types of proteolytic enzymes. Name 2 specific proteins you might expect the enzymes released by the acrosome to breakdown. What purpose does this play in the fertilization of the egg? Explain your reasoning.arrow_forward
- Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168130Author:Kelly A. Young, James A. Wise, Peter DeSaix, Dean H. Kruse, Brandon Poe, Eddie Johnson, Jody E. Johnson, Oksana Korol, J. Gordon Betts, Mark WomblePublisher:OpenStax CollegeHuman Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning