sickle cell video

Question 1

sickle cell disease is caused by…

Answer 1

• a mutation in a single gene
• the gene codes for “hemoglobin” (protein in blood cells that binds oxygen)
• mutation in a single nucleotide in the gene causes a single amino acid change
• hemoglobin molecules to stick together and make it sickle shaped
• shape blocks blood vessels

Question 2

origin

Answer 2

• in the us it was most common with individuals from african ancestry
• tony alison measured the frequency of alleles in sickle cell
• found frequencies were higher in lowlands than high lands
• found that it sickles only in low oxygen environments

Question 3

how to test for sickle cell

Answer 3

researchers can mix a chemical agent to blood which creates a low oxygen environment, and after a few hours, individuals with sickle cell trait will have cells that sickle

Question 4

connection between malaria and sickle cell

Answer 4

• sickle cell trait has lower parasite counts
• people with no sickle cell / homozygous sickle cell were less likely to survive and reproduce
• because cells are sickled, malaria will not have hemoglobin that is easy to digest, therefore not surviving and reproducing as fast