Malaria Flashcards
1
Q
What is hemoglobin?
A
An iron containing protein.
2
Q
What is the role of hemoglobin?
A
To carry oxygen to various parts of the body in the red blood cells.
3
Q
What is the disease that can alter the hemoglobin molecule?
A
Sickle cell.
4
Q
How does HbA differ from HbS?
A
By one amino acid in the protein’s sequence. HbS binds oxygen less efficiently than HbA.
5
Q
With less oxygen present what changes?
A
The shape of the cell appears as an elongated C-shape.
6
Q
What happens to people with sickle cell that are homozygous for Hbs?
A
They become ill.
7
Q
What happens to people who are heterozyhous for Hbs?
A
They do not become ill and can become resistance to the parasitic disease malaria.
