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It is a genetic disorder.
However...
It is also a protection against malaria.
For example, if a person were born in an area where malaria is present, he or she would likely die from the disease, unless he or she inherited 1 sickle cell gene.
Malaria viruses reproduce in the red blood cells. The parent virus invades a cell, and uses the cell as a host to grow more viruses.
With 1 sickle cell gene, malaria viruses that invade a red cell are quickly destroyed, since the red cell collapses, preventing the virus from reproducing.
But with 2 sickle cell genes, red cells collapse too easily; just a bruise can cause someone to become anemic when too many red cells collapse.
In the real world, people with no sickle cell genes died from malaria. People with 1 sickle cell gene survived. People with 2 sickle cell genes died from sickle cell anemia.
It was natures way of assuring that at least half of the population survive, but it is certainly a difficult thing to live with today, now that we can more easily treat malaria.
What else can I help you with?
What is the name of a common disease that black people get?
You are probably looking for the disease 'Sickle cell anemia'. It is most common in blacks but it doesn't mean that if you are black that you have it.
Can you get sickle cell from your parents?
Yes, and this is the only way to get sickle cell disease or sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell (both the milder "disease" form and the more severe "anemia" form) are caused by an inherited mutation in a protein that helps form the red blood cells - the defect results in red blood cells that are shaped like crescents or sickles, which is how the disease gets its name.
What is the name of the selective force acting on the population in the simulation lab on allele frequencies and sickle cell anemia?
Eubacteria
How did Sickle Cell Anemia get its name?
Sickle Cell Anemia is named after the crescent or sickle-shaped red blood cells that form in individuals with the condition. These abnormally shaped cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to pain, organ damage, and other complications characteristic of the disease.
What can cause a attack of sickle cell anemia?
Although sickle cell anemia(SS) and sickle cell disease(SC) are considered genetic mutations, I believe the question is...What are possible causes for a sickle cell attack? Anything that causes a constriction of the blood vessels would seem to be a cause. Smoking, coffee, and alcohol to name a few. Dehydration also appears to play a big role.
What is sicle cell?
I think you mean sickle cell diseaase. Here is some more information for you that will answer your question better than I can: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sickle_cell_disease In short, sickle cell disease is a blood disorder of the red blood cells. Basically, the red blood cells have an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape (hence the name sickle cell disease).
What are all the names of anemia are?
I only know of two types of anemia and i would like to know the rest for my school research project, name the ones that are not already said. there is the: Sickle cell, Iron Deficiency, please name 398 more, thank you so much!
What is the name of the condition of one sickle cell gene and one normal hemoglobin gene?
The condition is called sickle cell trait. This occurs when an individual inherits one sickle cell gene and one normal hemoglobin gene, resulting in milder symptoms compared to sickle cell disease.
What is fanconi anemia's scientific name?
I'm guessing there is none, that fanconi anemia is the scientific name, and that the common name is FA.
What are the causes of sickle-cell disease?
Sickle-cell Disease (SCD) is more common in those of African and Mediterranean decent; these people carry the sickle-cell trait; but not all who carry this gene develop the disease. This disease is caused by a genetic defect in an amino acid which shows in those who inherited this blood disease; SCD causes abnormal hemoglobin. This disease causes anemia which is caused by this mutation in the body's hemoglobin, B-globin chain. The abnormal gene causes irregular compounds in the red blood; hence the name Sickle-cell disease. The altered shape (crescent moon form) of the proteins inside of red blood cells causes them to clump and stick together leading to health issues.
Why do some people have different shaped red blood cells?
Some people have diseases, such as Sickle Cell Anemia. The disease makes a person's red blood cells in the shape of a sickle, hence the name, "Sickle" Cell Anemia. A normal person's red blood cell shape is round as opposed to the diseased person's red blood cell. It depends on the type of disease the person has. Some are round, some sickle shape, and others raisen-like (drained).
What is symptoms for sickle cell disease?
SymptomsSymptoms usually don't occur until after age 4 months. Almost all patients with sickle cell anemia have painful episodes (crises), which can last from hours to days. These crises can affect the bones of the back, the long bones, and the chest.Some patients have one episode every few years. Others have many episodes per year. The crises can be severe enough to require a hospital stay.Common symptoms include:Attacks of abdominal painBone painBreathlessnessDelayed growth and pubertyFatigueFeverJaundicePalenessRapid heart rateUlcers on the lower legs (in adolescents and adults)Other symptoms include:Chest painExcessive thirstFrequent urinationPainful and prolonged erection (priapism - occurs in 10 - 40% of men with the disease)Poor eyesight/blindnessStrokesSkin ulcers
