A genetic disease called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is inherited in a manner similar to that of sickle-cell anemia except that it occurs most frequently in males. The defective enzyme cannot keep erythrocytes supplied with sufficient amounts of the antioxidant molecule NADPH NADPH protects cell membranes and other cellular structures from oxidation. Describe in general terms the inheritance pattern of this molecular disease. Why do you think that the antimalarial drug primaquine, which stimulates peroxide formation, results in devastating cases of hemolytic anemia in carriers of the defective gene? Does it surprise you that this genetic anomaly is commonly found in African and Mediterranean populations?
A genetic disease called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is inherited in a manner
similar to that of sickle-cell anemia except that it occurs most frequently in males. The defective
enzyme cannot keep erythrocytes supplied with sufficient amounts of the antioxidant molecule
NADPH NADPH protects cell membranes and other cellular structures from
oxidation. Describe in general terms the inheritance pattern of this molecular disease. Why do you
think that the antimalarial drug primaquine, which stimulates peroxide formation, results in
devastating cases of hemolytic anemia in carriers of the defective gene? Does it surprise you that
this genetic anomaly is commonly found in African and Mediterranean populations?

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