At one time, Sickle Cell was seen as a great mutation. Soon, that great mutation became deadly. Being the first genetic disorder with a molecular basis that was known, Sickle Cell is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States.
Sickle Cell is more than just one disease. There are three types: trait, anemia, and the actual disease. Sickle Cell trait is present when only one gene of the disorder is inherited. In people with the trait, Hemoglobin S is heterozygous. Sickle Cell anemia come from the homozygous passing of the gene (Yardley-Jones 55). Both beta-globin units are replaced wth mutated subunits, and it can cause low numbers of red blood cells (Kelly 759). The most common type is the disease. People with Sickle Cell disease have a homozygous Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55). At least one of the beta-globin is replaced with a mutated subunit. The cells in a person with the disease only live ten to twenty days, which is not up to par with the normal 120 (Kelly 758). The cause of the different types is due to the different ways other hemoglobins can combine with Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55).
Sickle Cell is caused by the reduced solubility of Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55). Hemoglobin S (HbS) has 574 amino acids, and one of them is different (Harris 19). Unlike normal hemoglobin, Hemoglobin S cannot carry …show more content…
When HbS releases oxygen, problems appear (Harris 19). The lack of oxygen causes HbS to turn from liquid to crystal, and it causes the body to produce chemicals that cause pain (20). Infarction is a symptom, which is caused by low supply of oxygen. The cells get stuck in the blood vessel and the supply is cut off (Peak 25). Another common symptom is bone pain. This is caused by the cells getting trapped in sinusoids. Infants are often diagnosed with Hand/Foot Syndrome due to cells being trapped (Harris 22). Pain can also be in the ribs, and that can lead to breathing problems
Sickle Cell is more than just one disease. There are three types: trait, anemia, and the actual disease. Sickle Cell trait is present when only one gene of the disorder is inherited. In people with the trait, Hemoglobin S is heterozygous. Sickle Cell anemia come from the homozygous passing of the gene (Yardley-Jones 55). Both beta-globin units are replaced wth mutated subunits, and it can cause low numbers of red blood cells (Kelly 759). The most common type is the disease. People with Sickle Cell disease have a homozygous Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55). At least one of the beta-globin is replaced with a mutated subunit. The cells in a person with the disease only live ten to twenty days, which is not up to par with the normal 120 (Kelly 758). The cause of the different types is due to the different ways other hemoglobins can combine with Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55).
Sickle Cell is caused by the reduced solubility of Hemoglobin S (Yardley-Jones 55). Hemoglobin S (HbS) has 574 amino acids, and one of them is different (Harris 19). Unlike normal hemoglobin, Hemoglobin S cannot carry …show more content…
When HbS releases oxygen, problems appear (Harris 19). The lack of oxygen causes HbS to turn from liquid to crystal, and it causes the body to produce chemicals that cause pain (20). Infarction is a symptom, which is caused by low supply of oxygen. The cells get stuck in the blood vessel and the supply is cut off (Peak 25). Another common symptom is bone pain. This is caused by the cells getting trapped in sinusoids. Infants are often diagnosed with Hand/Foot Syndrome due to cells being trapped (Harris 22). Pain can also be in the ribs, and that can lead to breathing problems