Biology 11th Edition by Cecie Starr ,Ralph Taggart

Exercise 6

Kartagener syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutated form of the protein dynein. Affected people have chronically irritated sinuses, and mucus builds up in the airways to their lungs. Bacteria form huge populations in the thick mucus. Their metabolic by-products and the inflammation they trigger combine to damage tissues. Males affected by the syndrome can produce sperm, but they are infertile (Figure 4.30). Some have still become fathers with the help of a procedure that injects sperm cells directly into eggs. Explain how an abnormal dynein molecule could cause the observed effects.