Question

What is sickle cell anemia and how is it caused by your genes? Use the starter sentence below.

Sickle is caused by ____________

Answer 1

Sickle cell disease is caused by inheriting the sickle cell gene.

Answer 2

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a genetic mutation in the hemoglobin gene.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In sickle cell anemia, the mutation causes the hemoglobin to form abnormal, sickle-shaped cells instead of the normal round shape. These sickle cells are stiff and sticky, and they can block blood flow in the small blood vessels, leading to pain, infections, and organ damage. The mutation that causes sickle cell anemia is inherited from both parents, and it is more common in people of African descent but can also occur in other populations.