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Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary blood disorder that arises due to a defect in hemoglobin. The disease is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to changes in the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. This pathological condition is most commonly found among Mediterranean and African populations, but it can also be present in other regions. Sickle cell anemia is the most common of the hemoglobinopathies, with the abnormal hemoglobin, known as HbS, replacing normal hemoglobin in the body. The inheritance of the disease is autosomal recessive, meaning that sickle cell anemia develops only in individuals who inherit the abnormal gene from both parents. Those who inherit the defective…
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The disease of thalassemia
The hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, plays a crucial role in the body’s oxygen supply. The level and function of hemoglobin are key to ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen, as any disruption in hemoglobin formation can lead to anemia and hypoxic conditions. The macromolecules that make up hemoglobin have a complex structure, which includes a heme ring containing iron and four globin chains, two of which are alpha and two are non-alpha isoforms. Among the disorders of hemoglobin formation, thalassemia plays a prominent role, a group of hereditary diseases that affect the globin chain of hemoglobin. This disease complicates the normal production of hemoglobin, leading to…
