Chapter 20.5, Problem 2R

Summary Introduction

To review:

A test to verify the hypothesis that presence of sickle-cell anemia allele protects the individual from malaria.

Introduction:

Sickle-cell anemia is an autosomal recessive disorder, which alters the shape of red blood cells (RBCs) to sickle-shaped and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin. The shape of RBCs is also altered in individuals who have only one copy of the defective allele. It has been hypothesized that individuals with a sickle-cell allele are protected from malaria.