So people with this condition basically lack that proper gene that is needed to synthesize an important chloride ion channel because they have two of these recessive alleles on some autosomal homologous pair. Now, as a result, there is an excessive build up of this very sticky, very thick and very viscous mucus that is found in the passageway of the lungs as well as in our liver, in our pancreas and in our small intestine. So as a result of this thick mucus layer, our body cannot actually rid itself of this mucus layer properly. And what happens is there is a build up of pathogenic agents in those mucous membranes. Remember, the entire purpose of the mucous membranes in our lungs and other parts of our body is to trap pathogens and keep the pathogens from entering our body. But because of this thick layer of mucous membrane, as a result of cystic fibrosis, those bacterial ages and pathogens end up spending way too much time in the mucous membrane and that can basically create many different types of infections.