Final answer:
Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a DNA mutation that changes the hemoglobin protein, resulting in the abnormal shape of red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a DNA mutation that leads to a change in the hemoglobin protein. This causes the red blood cells to take on a sickle or crescent shape. The mutation replaces the amino acid glutamic acid with valine, which causes the hemoglobin protein to not function properly.