People that have a single allele (gene copy)for sickle cell anemia are typically not sick from the disease and are said to be carriers of sickle cell trait.These people will more often live in the malaria belt of sub-Saharan Africa.The most likely explanation for this is ________.
A) sickle cell trait is passed on to the biting mosquitoes as malaria
B) the tropical climate attracts people with sickle cell trait
C) malaria is a cause of sickle cell trait
D) people with sickle cell trait have a better chance of surviving malaria

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

People with sickle cell trait have a better chance of surviving malaria. It is thought that the sickle-shaped red blood cells of carriers are able to prevent the malaria parasite from thriving within the blood cells, providing some level of protection against the disease. This provides a selective advantage for individuals who carry the sickle cell trait in areas where malaria is endemic, such as sub-Saharan Africa.

People That Have a Single Allele (Gene Copy)for Sickle Cell