Final answer:
Yes, sickle cell trait (one HbS allele) does protect against malaria in certain populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, sickle cell trait (one HbS allele) does protect against malaria. In parts of Africa where malaria is prevalent, carriers of the sickle cell trait are more likely to survive and reproduce compared to non-carriers. The sickle cell mutation provides some level of immunity against malaria, which has contributed to the persistence of this genetic trait in certain populations.