When does sickle cell hemoglobin happen?

Prepare for the PLTW Biomedical Science Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

When does sickle cell hemoglobin happen?

Explanation:
Sickle cell hemoglobin arises from a single-base change in the gene that encodes the beta-globin chain. This missense mutation substitutes valine for glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position of the beta chain. That small change alters the surface properties of hemoglobin, promoting polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin S and causing red blood cells to sickle under low-oxygen conditions. It’s a genetic mutation in the beta-globin gene (not a process like glucose attaching to hemoglobin, not high oxygen levels, and not related to embryo development).

Sickle cell hemoglobin arises from a single-base change in the gene that encodes the beta-globin chain. This missense mutation substitutes valine for glutamic acid at the sixth amino acid position of the beta chain. That small change alters the surface properties of hemoglobin, promoting polymerization of deoxygenated hemoglobin S and causing red blood cells to sickle under low-oxygen conditions. It’s a genetic mutation in the beta-globin gene (not a process like glucose attaching to hemoglobin, not high oxygen levels, and not related to embryo development).

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