Sickle cell anemia patients suffer from a distorted red blood cell shape and an anemic condition as a result of a genetic mutation in the HBB gene, which codes for the hemoglobin β subunits. This mutation changes a Glu to a Val at position 6 in the protein, and these patients express two alleles (one from each parent) with this mutation. When individuals inherit just one copy of this mutated gene, they are considered carriers, and have very few symptoms. Based on the quaternary structure of hemoglobin, what can you predict about the assembly of hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia patients versus carriers of the sickle cell trait? a. In sickle cell anemia patients, the α globin subunits have complementary mutations to ensure the quaternary structure of hemoglobin is attained. b. In sickle cell anemia patients, 100% of the hemoglobin is fully functional, whereas in those that carry the trait, there is no functional hemoglobin assembled. c. In individuals with the sickle cell mutation, hemoglobin α subunits cannot bind to β globin at all, and the quaternary structure cannot assemble. d. In sickle cell anemia patients, 100% of the hemoglobin assembled contains the mutant β globin, while in carriers, 50% of the hemoglobin assembled contains the mutated version.

Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)

11th Edition

ISBN:9781305251052

Author:Michael Cummings

Publisher:Michael Cummings

Chapter10: From Proteins To Phenotypes

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 20QP: If an extra nucleotide is inserted in the first exon of the beta globin gene, what effect will it...

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Sickle cell anemia patients suffer from a distorted red blood cell shape and an anemic condition as a result of a genetic mutation in the HBB gene, which codes for the hemoglobin β subunits. This mutation changes a Glu to a Val at position 6 in the protein, and these patients express two alleles (one from each parent) with this mutation. When individuals inherit just one copy of this mutated gene, they are considered carriers, and have very few symptoms. Based on the quaternary structure of hemoglobin, what can you predict about the assembly of hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia patients versus carriers of the sickle cell trait?

a. In sickle cell anemia patients, the α globin subunits have complementary mutations to ensure the quaternary structure of hemoglobin is attained.

b. In sickle cell anemia patients, 100% of the hemoglobin is fully functional, whereas in those that carry the trait, there is no functional hemoglobin assembled.

c. In individuals with the sickle cell mutation, hemoglobin α subunits cannot bind to β globin at all, and the quaternary structure cannot assemble.

d. In sickle cell anemia patients, 100% of the hemoglobin assembled contains the mutant β globin, while in carriers, 50% of the hemoglobin assembled contains the mutated version.

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