This research project will focus on the study of sickle cell anemia. This paper will focus on many key points. It will focus on what sickle cell anemia is, how a person may obtain or transfer this disease, and the function of cells carrying sickle cell anemia. I have chosen to do research on sickle cell anemia because I am a carrier of this disease. I hope in doing this research it will broaden my view on the potential dangers of this disease and if it can be passed on to my own offspring. .
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Sickle Cell Anemia/ Sickle Cell Disease .
Definition.
"Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited form of anemia- a condition in which there is not enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body" (Mayo Clinic Staff). Sickle cell anemia is a dangerous disease, it can be inherited through genetics, and can cause potential death. This can be inherited from the genes of both parents or from the genes of one single parent. If one parent has this gene then their offspring will most likely obtain the sickle cell trait. Sickle cell genes can affect the important production of the chemical makeup of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is located in red blood cells, they carry oxygen to the cell and also give the blood its color. These sickle cell genes produce abnormal hemoglobin in the body called HBS. HBS (abnormal Hemoglobin) makes red blood cells change shapes; they also can be seen as a crescent moon. Sickle cell that contain mostly HBS are much harder and flexible than normal red blood cells. These cells can become stuck in small blood vessels, causing them to become blocked. Sickle cells are more acceptable to becoming destroyed than normal red blood cells. Meaning that people with SCA tend to have a shorter supply of red blood cells and have a moderate and persistent anemia. Normal red blood cells are round and carry enough oxygen through the whole body. Normal RBC do not brake and they function normally.