In sickle-cell anemia, what happens to the hemoglobin molecule that causes the red blood cell to sickle?
A) A small part of it becomes hydrophobic.
B) A small part of it becomes hydrophilic.
C) A small part of it becomes polar.
D) A small part of it becomes negatively charged.
E) A small part of it becomes positively charged.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In sickle-cell anemia, a mutation in the hemoglobin gene causes valine to replace glutamic acid at the sixth position of the beta chain. This substitution makes a small part of the hemoglobin molecule hydrophobic, which leads to the aggregation of hemoglobin molecules and the characteristic sickling of the red blood cells.

In Sickle-Cell Anemia, What Happens to the Hemoglobin Molecule That