The prevalence (frequency) of sickle-cell disease in Canada is quite low, affecting 1/3800 individuals. However, in some African populations 1/25 individuals are affected by sickle-cell disease. The difference in frequency of this allele within the differing populations has to do with the adaptation pressures that exist in the different environments. Individuals with the heterozygous genotype have a survival advantage in environments where the disease malaria is prevalent as the presence of this mutant allele leads to resistance to malaria. Therefore, the sickle-cell disease tends to be more frequent in environments where the malaria parasite is most common. Question: Explain why the sickle-cell disease remains frequent in some populations while it exists in very low frequency in other populations.
The prevalence (frequency) of sickle-cell disease in Canada is quite low, affecting 1/3800 individuals. However, in some African populations 1/25 individuals are affected by sickle-cell disease. The difference in frequency of this allele within the differing populations has to do with the adaptation pressures that exist in the different environments. Individuals with the heterozygous genotype have a survival advantage in environments where the disease malaria is prevalent as the presence of this mutant allele leads to resistance to malaria. Therefore, the sickle-cell disease tends to be more frequent in environments where the malaria
Question:
Explain why the sickle-cell disease remains frequent in some populations while it exists in very low frequency in other populations.
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