Diseases may arise when proteins fail to fold correctly in their last stages of processing and/or are directed towards the lysosome rather than towards the cell membrane. cystic fibrosis is an example of this type of disease. in cystic fibrosis, a functional ion channel is sent to the lysosome for destruction rather than being sent to the plasma membrane. given this observation, the cellular component that is most likely the cause of the disease is the

The best answer for the question: Given the observation, the cellular component that is most likely the cause of the disease is the:___, would be: the Golgi apparatus.

Explanation:

The reason for this being the answer to the question is that the Golgi apparatus is the one organelle in the cell structure that, together with the Endoplasmic reticulum, manages and controls the production and secretion of appropriate proteins chains that will either be used by the cell itself, or by other cells in the body. While the ER receives the RNA from which the new proteins are synthesized, the Golgi then receives the newly formed protein and works on it to reorganize it, change it, or simply prepare it to be sent towards its final destination. As such, in a condition like cystic fibrosis, where the ion channel, which is formed from protein chains, is sent to be destroyed instead of being sent to the cell membrane, the one who makes the mistake is the Golgi apparatus.