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Anemia
This category is for questions about the lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin called anemia: its symptoms, causes, and treatment.
936 Questions
How does the macrocytic hypochromic anemia look like?
Macrocytic hypochromic anemia is characterized by large red blood cells (macrocytes) with decreased hemoglobin content (hypochromia). This type of anemia is often associated with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, leading to impaired red blood cell production and resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. Blood tests reveal high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) levels.
What causes sickle cell allele?
The sickle cell allele is caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, which encodes a protein called hemoglobin. This mutation causes an abnormal form of hemoglobin (HbS) to be produced, leading to the characteristic sickle shape of red blood cells in individuals with sickle cell disease.
Iron tests are blood tests that measure the levels of iron in the bloodstream. These tests are commonly used to diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis, which can affect the body's ability to transport and store iron. Iron tests typically include measurements of serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron-binding capacity.
Does the environment play a role in sickle cell anemia?
Yes, the environment can play a role in sickle cell anemia by affecting factors such as hydration, temperature, and altitude that can trigger sickling of red blood cells and potentially lead to complications. Staying well-hydrated, avoiding extreme temperatures, and adjusting to high altitudes can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of sickle cell crises in affected individuals.
Can Mexican people get sickle cell anemia?
Sickle cell anemia is more common in populations from Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It is uncommon in Mexican populations, but it is still possible for Mexican individuals to have sickle cell anemia, especially if they have ancestors from regions where the condition is more prevalent.
Why has sickle cell anemia been maintained in the human population?
Several major Universities whose main function is Technology, along with the Medical Schools associated with teaching in the Children's Hospitals have begun joining forces using nanotechnology to alter the genetics of the sickle cell trait. Among them is a collaborative effort between GA Institute of Technology, Emory University Medical School, and Children's Health Care Systems of Atlanta. Once this is accomplished, plans are already in the works to move on to another deadly disease initiated with inherited genes: Cystic Fibrosis. This is an excellent collaborative use of each genre's best abilities: cooperation vs competition.
I earlier times this may have been negatively associated with eugenics, however that connotation is now being transformed with the positive aspects of actually changing genetics at the microcellular level to rid populations of certain killer traits, rather than attempts at 'perfecting the human race,' as in the despicable times of Hitler. This is not a genocidal experiment, but one aimed at saving lives of painful and deathly diseases, remembering sickle cell trait is mostly among Blacks.
To get a clearer picture of why the allele is still present, just remember what the Hardy-Weinberg principle predicts:
both allele and genotype frequencies in a population remain constant; that is, they are in equilibrium from generation to generation unless specific disturbing influences are introduced. Those disturbing influences include non random mating, mutations, selection, limited population size, "overlapping generations," random genetic drift, gene flow and meiotic drive.
Since the homozygous recessive (when the Anaemia is actually expressed) and heterozygous condition do not affect mating probabilities, the allele will naturally remain within the population.
Can anemia cause tear drop shaped red blood cell?
Yes, anemia can cause the production of tear drop-shaped red blood cells. This abnormal shape is associated with conditions like myelofibrosis, where the bone marrow is replaced by fibrous tissue. Anemia in myelofibrosis can lead to the release of immature red blood cells that can have abnormal shapes.
Can interracial children get sickle cell anemia?
It could be possible, but quite unlikely. The gene is of African origin. Here is how the odds work:
1. If only one parent has the trait, there is a 50% chance that a child of theirs would also just have the trait without having the full-blown disease.
2. If two parents has the trait, then any children would be 25% like to not have the trait at all, 50% likely to be a carrier, and 25% likely to have the full-blown disease.
3. If a person has the disease and the other parent doesn't have the trait at all, then all resulting children would carry the trait but not have the disease.
4. If a person with sickle cell anemia has children with a carrier, then half the children would have the disease, and half would have just the trait.
5. Assuming 2 people with sickle cell anemia are alive long enough to have children together, all their children would have it.
So back to the question. If one parent was White and the other was Black with the sickle cell trait and not the full-blown disease, then they would not have children with the disease, but roughly half would carry it. But if the Black parent was born with the disease (both genes), then none of the children would have it, but all would be carriers. But typically, neither parent would even have the trait, and so none of the children would get it or carry it. Now, lets suppose that two interracial persons produce children together. If by chance they both carried the trait, then the odds are 1 in 4 of having the disease, 1 in 4 of not even carrying it, and a 50% chance of being a carrier.
Sickle cell disease can be a serious and life-threatening condition if not managed properly. Complications such as infections, acute chest syndrome, and stroke can lead to serious health issues and even death. With proper medical care, including regular monitoring and treatment, individuals with sickle cell disease can lead full and productive lives.
Adenine and thymine mutation in sickle cell?
yes. thymine replaces adenine in the dna that codes for the amino acid on the 6th position of the beta globin chain resulting in an amino acid change of glutamic acid to valine.
shari
(med student - jamaica)
What is common between Down syndrome Hemophilia and Sickle cell anaemia?
Down syndrome, Hemophilia, and Sickle cell anemia are all genetic disorders caused by mutations in specific genes. These disorders can lead to various health complications and require ongoing medical management. Additionally, individuals with these conditions may need specialized care and support to maintain their health and well-being.
The genetic disorder sickle cell disease is an example of heterozygous dominance?
Sickle cell disease is an example of codominance, not heterozygous dominance. In individuals who are heterozygous for the sickle cell allele, they exhibit a milder form of the disease called sickle cell trait, which demonstrates codominance of the normal and mutant hemoglobin alleles.
How is the sickle cell allele maintained through natural selection?
Individuals with two recessive alleles have very high rates of reproduction.
What is One pleiotropic affect of sickle cell syndrome?
One pleiotropic effect of sickle cell syndrome is increased resistance to malaria. The genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease also confers some protection against malaria infection, as the malaria parasite has difficulty surviving in the altered red blood cells of individuals with sickle cell trait.
People who are heterozygous for sickle cells disease are generally healthy because?
they have one normal hemoglobin gene that can produce functional hemoglobin to carry oxygen effectively, compensating for the abnormal hemoglobin produced by the gene for sickle cell disease. This keeps their red blood cells from sickling and causing blockages in blood vessels that lead to symptoms of the disease.
Megaloblastic anemia results from a deficiency of?
Megaloblastic anemia results from a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid, both of which play a crucial role in DNA synthesis and red blood cell production. This deficiency leads to the production of abnormally large and immature red blood cells, causing anemia.
What are the dangerous mutations that occur in sickle cell anemia?
The dangerous mutation in sickle cell anemia is a point mutation in the HBB gene that results in the substitution of glutamic acid with valine in the beta-globin chain of hemoglobin. This leads to the production of abnormal hemoglobin known as hemoglobin S, which causes red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, leading to various complications such as vaso-occlusive crises, anemia, and organ damage.
What body systems are most affected by sickle cell anemia?
In a nutshell, it makes your RBCs (Red Blood cells) sickle shaped. The RBCs can't pick up as much oxygen so you may have trouble breathing. They also collect around the joints causing extreme pain.
What is a punnett square for sickle cell anemia?
Since you did not specify what parental cross you wished to represent this is the best I can do for you. A "normal" male would be represented as XHYo - gametes XH and Yo A male with hemophilia would be represented as XhYo - gametes Xh and Yo A female non-carrier would be represented as XHXH - gametes XH A female carrier would be represented as XHXh - gametes XH and Xh A female with hemophila would be represented as XhXh - gametes Xh
How does sickle cell disease effect your amune system?
For starters, its immune. Second, sickle cells makes one resistant to malaria if in the heterozygous form (one normal blood cell and one sickle cell allele) but if found in the homozygous form (both alleles for sickle cells) the result is misshapen blood cells that to don't carry enough oxygen through the blood to keep a person alive usually resulting in death.
What is sickle-cell disease and how is this disorder inherited?
Sickle-cell anemia is characterised by abnormal haemoglobin which are not the correct shape and cannot carry oxygen.
It is a genetic disease - and a person must have two copies of the gene to have sickle-cell anemia. (Heterozygous individuals, with one copy, are known as having sickle-cell trait - and some of their haemoglobin may be misshapen).
Why is it beneficial to have Sickle cell anemia if you live in Africa?
In Africa, malaria is a common disease. It attacks healthy blood cells and uses them to travel throughout the body. However, if one has sickle-shaped blood cells, this makes it harder for the malaria to attach and travel through the body.
What type of anemia does a gene mutation cause?
A certain substitution in human DNA changes the code for hemoglobin; this ultimately results in sickle-cell anima.
Can you still be alive at age 14-15 with sickle cell anemia?
Yes, individuals with sickle cell anemia can live into adulthood with proper care and management of the condition. Regular medical check-ups, adherence to prescribed treatment plans, and healthy lifestyle choices can help improve quality of life and overall life expectancy for those with sickle cell anemia.
Why does sickle cell disease run in families yet is not present in every generation?
Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic disorder caused by having two copies of the sickle cell gene. When both parents are carriers of the gene, each child has a 25% chance of inheriting the disease. Not every generation will have the disease because it depends on whether the gene is passed down from both parents.
