Sickle-cell disease likely arose as a mutation that was passed along because it protected individuals from

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sickle-cell disease is caused by a mutation in the HBB gene that codes for the beta-globin subunit of hemoglobin. While having two copies of the mutation (homozygous) causes sickle-cell disease, carrying only one copy (heterozygous) can confer some protection against malaria. This is because the sickle-shaped red blood cells are less hospitable to the malaria parasite, reducing the severity of the infection.

Sickle-Cell Disease Likely Arose as a Mutation That Was Passed