Are there any symptoms? Yes. A person with Sickle Cell Anemia experiences many symptoms. What causes many symptoms?
The gene which codes for the production of hemoglobin in a red blood cell causes these unpleasant symptoms. When this gene is homozygous recessive (a person has inherited an S allele from each parent and has two SS alleles) (click inheritance at top of page to further understand this concept) deformed abnormal hemoglobin is produced. This abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cells where it is found to deform and appear sickle (crescent shaped). These sickle cells breakdown, clog tiny blood vessels, and accumulate in the spleen. These three effects (caused simply by abnormal hemoglobin) are responsible for multiple effects or symptoms in an individual with Sickle Cell Anemia. Because this one gene has the ability to produce multiple effects, it is said to be pleiotropic. What are the symptoms? |
