Sickle Cell

Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disorder caused by a mutated gene in the amino acid sequence of a protein. This disorder can be passed on from parent to off spring by either a homozygous or heterozygous allele. Sickle cell alters the gene called beta hemoglobin which is a protein inside the red blood cell that carries oxygen. Due to the conformational change of hemoglobin, red blood cells are altered in shape when a low concentration of oxygen is present. This cause the red blood cells to become fragile and form a sickle shaped blood cell. To complete this research paper information was gathered and interrupted to understand the intricacies of this disorder. Several alleles, homologous, transcription and translation were discovered and analyzed to further study the actual cause of sickle cell. Currently, no cure has been found, however scientist are studying and developing further research on the complications of this gene.

Sickle Cell Anemia is a hereditary disease in which red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape, and is mostly common in the African-American community. Sickle Cell Anemia is passed on from parent to offspring; by either both parents expressing the allele (homozygous), or one parent expressing the allele (heterozygous). Many individuals who have sickle cell experience a great amount of pain, as blood cells become oxygen deficient. Sickle cell is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S which replaces beta-hemoglobin subunit (HbS). Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Hemoglobin S changes the shape of red blood cells, especially when the cells are exposed to low oxygen levels. The red blood cells become shaped like crescents or sickles. The fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen to the body's tissues. They can also get trapped more easily in small blood vessels, and break into pieces that interrupt healthy blood flow.