Question
In regions where malaria is common, some people have a genetic variation known as the sickle cell trait. People with one sickle cell allele and one normal allele (heterozygous) have a resistance to malaria, while people with two normal alleles are more likely to get malaria. However, people with two sickle cell alleles (homozygous) can develop sickle cell disease, which is harmful.
Why does having one sickle cell allele provide a survival advantage in regions where malaria is common?
People with the sickle cell allele are less likely to develop sickle cell disease.
People with the sickle cell allele are less likely to develop sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait improves overall health and resistance to other diseases.
Why does having one sickle cell allele provide a survival advantage in regions where malaria is common?
People with the sickle cell allele are less likely to develop sickle cell disease.
People with the sickle cell allele are less likely to develop sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.
The sickle cell trait improves overall health and resistance to other diseases.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct statement that explains why having one sickle cell allele provides a survival advantage in regions where malaria is common is:
**The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.**
Individuals who are heterozygous for the sickle cell trait (having one normal allele and one sickle cell allele) have red blood cells that can, to some extent, alter the life cycle of the malaria parasite, making it more difficult for the parasite to survive and reproduce in their bodies. This confers a degree of resistance to malaria without the severe health complications that come with the homozygous condition (two sickle cell alleles), which leads to sickle cell disease.
Thus, the presence of the sickle cell allele provides a selective advantage in malaria-endemic regions by reducing morbidity from malaria while avoiding the severe consequences of sickle cell disease associated with the homozygous condition.
**The sickle cell trait protects people from malaria without causing the severe effects of sickle cell disease.**
Individuals who are heterozygous for the sickle cell trait (having one normal allele and one sickle cell allele) have red blood cells that can, to some extent, alter the life cycle of the malaria parasite, making it more difficult for the parasite to survive and reproduce in their bodies. This confers a degree of resistance to malaria without the severe health complications that come with the homozygous condition (two sickle cell alleles), which leads to sickle cell disease.
Thus, the presence of the sickle cell allele provides a selective advantage in malaria-endemic regions by reducing morbidity from malaria while avoiding the severe consequences of sickle cell disease associated with the homozygous condition.