AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -While the genetic mutation in the beta globin gene producing sickle hemoglobin (HbS) causes severe vascular complications that can lead to early death in individuals who are homozygous (SS) for the mutation, in its heterozygous form (AS), it partially protects against severe malaria caused by P.

Detailed explanation-2: -Does sickle cell trait protect you from malaria? People with SCT have one copy of a faulty hemoglobin gene, inherited from one of their parents. They don’t develop SCD, but they are carriers for the gene that causes the condition. Having SCT does protect against malaria.

Detailed explanation-3: -The sickle cell mutation is relevant to malaria because infection of a red blood cell with the malaria parasite leads to hypoxia. In individuals of the AS genotype such blood cells sickle and are then eliminated by macrophage cells of the body’s immune system, lessening the burden of infection (Luzzatto, 2012).

Detailed explanation-4: -In sickle cell disease, red blood cells have a sickle shape, which blocks blood flow. Heterozygotes do not have the disease, but they do have protection from malaria, as the parasite is not able to infect sickle cells.