Popular view is sickle cell is a wonderful case for evolution, as the sickle cell in comparison to a regular blood cell is not affected by the parasite-plasmodium falciparum
THe sickle cell mutation, reduces the shape and volume of a regular blood cell. Resulting in a diminished cell with a cresecent moon type appearance. This cell is therefore capable of transporting less oxygen to respiring tissue, resulting in the disease sickle cell anaemia.
As well as a diminshed capacity for oxygen carrying, also these cells, have a harder time navigating their way through capillaries and other smaller blood vessels, causing bottlenecks, result= internal discomfort.
The crescent shape means that the malarial parasite cant lock its enzymes onto the blood protein, resulting in immunisation,
but this is at the cost of low oxyghen transport and pain.
It's a mutation that removes information for a healthy blood cell.
Evolution is gaining information. This is a mutation that takes
info away
2007-09-03
04:41:11
·
5 answers
·
asked by
Anonymous