answersLogoWhite

0

A Sickle Cell is a type of Red Blood Cell (RBC) seen in the Sickle Cell Disease. This disease has an abnormal Hemoglobin molecule, termed Hemoglobin S. This is due to a point mutation in the Beta-Globin Gene on chromosome 11. The disease itself is homozygous and recessive so one can have the trait and not have the disease if one of the parents have it. The patients with this disease have lifelong hemolytic anemia and increased susceptibility to infections.

As for how the cells came to be called Sickle Cells, one has to understand the molecular structure of the Globin (protein) portion of Hemoglobin. In this disease, a polar amino acid (Glutamate) is replaced by a non polar amino acid (Valine) in the Globin molecule, thus reducing its overall charge. This also causes a protrusion in the Hemoglobin surface that more or less fits a pocket like structure in another Hemoglobin molecule in the cell. During low oxygen tension, the hemoglobin molecules polymerize, or get attached to one another forming a network of mis-shaped, stiff and distorted cells. These cells are called Sickle Cells.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

What else can I help you with?