Question

Which of the following statements is the most appropriate for sicklecell anaemia?

• A. It is a molecular disease
• B. It cannot be treated with iron supplements
• C. All of the above
• D. It confers resistance to acquiring malaria

Answer 1

The correct option is C All of the above

Sickle-cell anaemia:

Sickle cell anemia is caused by point mutation which results in a change in amino acid residue from glutamate to valine on the 6th position of the beta chain of globulin molecules.

GAG is the codon for glutamate which is replaced by GUG codon, for valine.



It cannot be treated with iron supplements:

Sickle-cell anaemia is not caused by the deficiency of iron rather it is caused due to poor quality of hemoglobin. Thus, it cannot be cured by treatment with iron supplements.



It is a molecular disease:

Sickle cell anaemia is a molecular disease as it occurs due to the point mutation in the HBB gene. Here the glutamic acid is substituted by valine at the $6^{th}$ position in the beta chain of globin molecules.


It confers resistance to acquiring malaria:

In sickle cell anaemia, RBCs become sickle shaped. The membrane becomes porous and allows the leakage of nutrients from the cells. These cells are destroyed fast along with the organism present in it. Hence the malaria-causing pathogen Plasmodium cannot survive inside the sickle shaped cells. Therefore, conferring resistance to malaria


Final answer: d. All of the above