Sickle cell anaemia, the best example of natural selection is due to g...
Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin-Beta gene found on chromosome 11. Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Red blood cells with normal hemoglobin (hemoglobin-A) are smooth and round and glide through blood vessels.
Sickle cell anaemia, the best example of natural selection is due to g...
First, it is important to clarify that sickle cell anemia is not directly caused by gene modification related to acid. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disorder caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.
The best example of natural selection in the case of sickle cell anemia is related to the survival advantage it provides against malaria. Sickle cell anemia is more prevalent in regions where malaria is endemic, such as sub-Saharan Africa. People who carry one copy of the sickle cell gene have a higher resistance to malaria, while those who have two copies of the gene (homozygous) develop sickle cell disease.
The reason for this advantage is that the abnormal hemoglobin in individuals with sickle cell trait (heterozygous) can cause red blood cells to form a sickle shape under low oxygen conditions. These sickle-shaped cells are less ideal for the malaria parasite to invade and reproduce inside, reducing the severity of the infection. As a result, individuals with sickle cell trait have an increased chance of surviving malaria compared to individuals with normal hemoglobin.
This survival advantage has led to natural selection favoring the sickle cell trait in malaria-endemic regions. However, it is important to note that sickle cell anemia itself is a debilitating and life-threatening condition, and individuals with sickle cell disease often suffer from severe health complications.