Patients with sickle cell disease suffer from vaso-occlusive crises because:
A) The altered hemoglobin facilitates the formation of bar-shaped hemoglobin crystals that occlude blood vessels.
B) The altered hemoglobin impairs the hemoglobin's ability to effectively transport oxygen that causes vaso-occlusion.
C) The altered hemoglobin facilitates tactoid crystal formation that alters the shape of the red blood cell, resulting in impeded blood flow in vessels.
D) The altered hemoglobin interferes with globin chain assembly, which impedes blood flow in the vessels.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In sickle cell disease, the altered hemoglobin facilitates tactoid crystal formation that alters the shape of the red blood cell, resulting in impeded blood flow in vessels. This is referred to as vaso-occlusive crisis. The formation of bar-shaped hemoglobin crystals (option A) or the impairment of hemoglobin's ability to effectively transport oxygen (option B) are not the primary mechanisms for vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease. Interference with globin chain assembly (option D) may lead to ineffective erythropoiesis and anemia, but it is not directly related to vaso-occlusive crisis.

Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Suffer from Vaso-Occlusive Crises Because