Given that this mutated allele will cause disease and death in individuals, what would you predict to occur to the frequency of this allele in the population? Explain.
Sickle-cell disease (often called sickle-cell anemia) is a disease that is caused by a mutation to the gene that is responsible for producing the protein hemoglobin. Remember that hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells which is responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. When a person possesses the mutated hemoglobin allele, their red blood cells take on an altered shape and this results in a variety of symptoms ranging from general weakening of the body, damage to the organs and even death. The sickle cell allele is recessive to the healthy allele, thus only individuals that are homozygous for the recessive allele will have sickle-cell disease. Individuals that are homozygous for the healthy allele, along with heterozygous, individuals will be physically healthy.
Question:
Given that this mutated allele will cause disease and death in individuals, what would you predict to occur to the frequency of this allele in the population? Explain.
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
