Final answer:
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that results in erythrocytes acquiring a sickle shape, leading to numerous health complications. It is caused by an abnormal hemoglobin (hemoglobin S) and is commonly associated with African or Mediterranean ancestries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that causes a change in the shape of erythrocytes (red blood cells). Norma red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible, which allows them to move easily through blood vessels. In individuals with this condition, the red blood cells have an abnormal hemoglobin, called hemoglobin S, which can cause the cells to form a crescent, or sickle shape. This shape change occurs especially at low oxygen concentrations.
These sickle-shaped red blood cells are less efficient at delivering oxygen to the body's tissues and are more likely to get stuck in small blood vessels. This can lead to a host of complications, such as pain in the joints, delayed growth, and in severe cases, strokes or even blindness. Sickle cell anemia is commonly found in people of African or Mediterranean descent. A blood smear examined under a microscope can reveal the presence of these sickle cells.