Alport syndrome (AS) is an inherited disorder that affects kidney glomeruli of both men and women - AQA - A-Level Biology - Question 8 - 2020 - Paper 2

Alport syndrome affects the basement membrane of the glomeruli in the kidneys. This condition can damage the membrane, leading to its impaired function. When the basement membrane is compromised, it allows for the passage of larger proteins into the urine, resulting in proteinuria. The disruption can be due to the absence or malfunction of protein channels or carriers in the membrane, contributing further to the leakage of proteins into the urinary filtrate.