Difference between revisions of "Sickle cell disease"
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| − | '''Sickle cell disease''' is a blood | + | '''Sickle cell disease''' is a genetic blood disease seen most commonly in people of [[Africa]]n ancestry. The disorder is caused by a single base pair change in one of the [[gene]]s that codes for [[hemoglobin]], the blood protein that carries oxygen. This mutation causes the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, rather than their characteristic donut shape. Individuals who suffer from sickle cell disease are chronically anemic and experience significant damage to their heart, lungs, and kidneys. |
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=sickle%20cell%20disease | http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=sickle%20cell%20disease | ||
Revision as of 18:08, July 20, 2007
Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disease seen most commonly in people of African ancestry. The disorder is caused by a single base pair change in one of the genes that codes for hemoglobin, the blood protein that carries oxygen. This mutation causes the red blood cells to take on a sickle shape, rather than their characteristic donut shape. Individuals who suffer from sickle cell disease are chronically anemic and experience significant damage to their heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Sources
http://www.genome.gov/glossary.cfm?key=sickle%20cell%20disease