what is the difference between sickle cell and non sickle cell hemoglobin?

Answer 1

Good question. This is caused by switch of amino acids in the beta chain of hemoglobin. Glutamic acid is replaced with valine. Valine is hydrophobic (water fearing). Therefore a sickle cell blood cell interacts with water totally different than a normal red blood cell. When the red blood cell unloads its oxygen it takes on a sickle shape and can clog up capillaries and other small vessels (sickle cell crisis).

Answer 2

there is a point mutation in the beta chain from glutamic acid to valine at position 6 on the beta hemoglobin chain. this causes the hemoglobin to fold improperly altering the shape of the red blood cell. a drop in oxygen levels can cause the sickling to occur in people with the homozygous condition and sometimes even in cariers. sickle cell is not the only hemoglobin anbormality. look up Hemoglobin C, thallasamia, hemoglobin E, SC, O, D, H, Arab, Kansas, and many more than I can remember at this time. also, there are combinations of abnormalities like hemoglobin SC and thallasamia with Hgb C. some conditions do not cause pathology. some cause death at birth or in utero. have fun looking these up

Answer 3

Sickle cell is more a sickle (the tool for farming) and the hemoglobin has a harder time in taking oxygen. Where as the regular blood cells are disk like and is more efficient with their oxygen.

Answer 4

Sickle cells lose their flexibility and become rigid making it difficult for transport throughout the bloodstream. It becomes harder for the erythrocytes to unload oxygen. These sickle-shaped red blood cells can break easily and can build up in the blood vessels. Regular hemoglobin functions regularly in oxygen and nutrient transport.