Section 3.3(Sickle cell anemia)

Question 1

What is Sickle Cell anemia?

Answer 1

Sickle cell anemia is a common genetic disease in areas where malaria is endemic.

Question 2

How do you get Sickle cell anemia?

Answer 2

Base substitution Mutation from GAG to GTG

Question 3

Effects of sickle cell anemia

Answer 3

The new shape of the sickled red blood cells causes a lot of problems. They can get stuck and clog blood vessels anywhere in the body, causing intense pain as blood supply fails. If this happens in the brain, the person could have a stroke. Sickled cells must be broken down and eliminated from the body, which strains the liver and causes a shortage of functioning red blood cells (anemia).

Question 4

Gene that has multiple effects

Answer 4

pleiotropy

Question 5

What does your genotype have to be to get sickle cell anemia?

Answer 5

Hbs X Hbs

If you have Hba and Hbs its actually quite beneficial because as it’s eliminating the sickle cells it eliminates the malaria with it.

In areas where malaria is present, it is an advantage to have one Hb S allele. Having two Hb S alleles leads to sickle cell anemia and also does not offer protection from malaria