Final answer:
Sickle cell anemia is caused by a missense mutation in the gene coding for hemoglobin, resulting in sickle-shaped red blood cells that can block blood flow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sickle cell anemia is caused by a missense mutation in the gene that codes for hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. This mutation results in the substitution of a single amino acid in the hemoglobin protein, causing the red blood cells to become sickle-shaped instead of their normal disc shape.
When the red blood cells are in their sickle shape, they can get stuck in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood. This leads to various complications and symptoms associated with sickle cell anemia.
The missense mutation in the gene is a point mutation, where one nucleotide in the DNA sequence is changed, resulting in the production of an abnormal hemoglobin protein.
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