Final answer:
In iron-deficiency anemia, hemoglobin synthesis decreases, resulting in smaller and paler red blood cells (RBCs).
Step-by-step explanation:
In iron-deficiency anemia, the synthesis of hemoglobin decreases, resulting in smaller and paler red blood cells (RBCs).
This is because iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, the molecule responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin, leading to smaller and paler RBCs.