Final answer:
Thalassemia is the most common inherited anemia in individuals of northern European descent, caused by abnormal hemoglobin and often linked to genetic adaptations to malaria. It should not be confused with iron deficiency anemia, which results from inadequate iron intake. X-linked recessive disorders also exhibit different inheritance patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common inherited anemia found in people of northern European ancestry is thalassemia, a type of anemia caused by abnormal hemoglobin. It is a genetic adaptation to malaria predominantly found in the Mediterranean region, parts of Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Thalassemia is a disorder where the maturation of red blood cells (RBCs) does not proceed normally, leading to Cooley's anemia in its most severe form.
Mutations in the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene can lead to a rare anemia, but these homozygous mutations confer some resistance to malaria, suggesting an evolutionary advantage in areas where malaria is endemic. Unlike iron deficiency anemia, which occurs when there is insufficient iron to produce heme and is common in individuals with inadequate iron intake, thalassemia and other inherited forms like aplastic anemia are due to genetic factors. Iron deficiency anemia is often seen in teenagers, vegans, vegetarians, or those with chronic bleeding conditions.
Anemias like sickle cell anemia and hemoglobin C disease are similarly inherited, where the former is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting the shape of RBCs, and the latter also confers some protection against malaria. X-linked recessive disorders, such as color blindness and hemophilia, differ in their inheritance patterns and are more commonly carried by females without exhibiting symptoms, while males are more likely to be affected.