Final answer:
If a person has two normal copies of the hemoglobin allele, it means that their hemoglobin is structurally normal and they are not carriers of sickle cell anemia, are not at risk of developing hemophilia, and do not have a lower risk of developing malaria related to sickle cell. The correct statement is option D.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person has two normal copies of the hemoglobin allele, several statements can be evaluated for their validity:
- (A) The person is a carrier for sickle cell anemia: This statement is false. A carrier for sickle cell anemia would have one normal allele and one mutated allele, not two normal copies.
- (B) The person is at risk for developing hemophilia: This statement is also false because hemophilia is a different genetic condition unrelated to the hemoglobin allele.
- (C) The person has a lower risk of developing malaria: This statement is false. It's those with one sickle cell allele (carriers) who may have a lower risk of developing malaria, not those with two normal copies.
- (D) The person's hemoglobin is structurally normal: This statement is true because with two normal copies of the hemoglobin gene, the resulting hemoglobin is structurally normal and functions properly.
Therefore, the correct statement that applies is (D) The person's hemoglobin is structurally normal.