Heterozygote advantage is an interesting condition in those individuals who have one of each allele (dominant and recessive) have a higher survival rate than those individuals who are either homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive. Sickle-cell anemia is such a genetic disease associated with the recessive allele. Normal homozygous individuals (SS) have normal blood cells that are easily infected with the malarial parasite. Thus, many of these individuals become very ill from the parasite and many die. Individuals homozygous for the sickle-cell trait (ss) have red blood cells that readily collapse when deoxygenated. Although malaria cannot grow in these red blood cells, individuals often die because of the genetic defect. However, individuals with the heterozygous condition (Ss) have some sickling of red blood cells, but generally not enough to cause mortality. In addition, malaria cannot survive well within these "partially defective" red blood cells. Thus, heterozygotes tend to survive better than either of the homozygous conditions. 2a. If 9% of an African population is born with the severe form of sickle-cell anemia (ss), what percentage of the population will likely be more resistant to malaria because they are heterozygous (Ss) for the sickle-cell gene? (don't forget the percent sign)
Heterozygote advantage is an interesting condition in those individuals who have one of each allele (dominant and recessive) have a higher survival rate than those individuals who are either homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive. Sickle-cell anemia is such a genetic disease associated with the recessive allele. Normal homozygous individuals (SS) have normal blood cells that are easily infected with the malarial parasite. Thus, many of these individuals become very ill from the parasite and many die. Individuals homozygous for the sickle-cell trait (ss) have red blood cells that readily collapse when deoxygenated. Although malaria cannot grow in these red blood cells, individuals often die because of the genetic defect. However, individuals with the heterozygous condition (Ss) have some sickling of red blood cells, but generally not enough to cause mortality. In addition, malaria cannot survive well within these "partially defective" red blood cells. Thus, heterozygotes tend to survive better than either of the homozygous conditions.
2a. If 9% of an African population is born with the severe form of sickle-cell anemia (ss), what percentage of the population will likely be more resistant to malaria because they are heterozygous (Ss) for the sickle-cell gene? (don't forget the percent sign)
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