A 42-year-old man of European ancestry is found to have a blood hemoglobin concentration of 36% (normal, 40% to 54%).Blood analysis shows the presence of abnormally rounded and elliptical erythrocytes, and these cells are more easily destroyed than normal cells by exposure to hypotonic saline solution.The structural protein that is most likely reduced in the blood cells of this patient is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient most likely has hereditary spherocytosis or elliptocytosis.This group of disorders is caused by abnormalities in the membrane skeleton, and spectrin levels are almost invariably reduced.

A 42-Year-Old Man of European Ancestry Is Found to Have