Question

In sickle-cell disease, variation in one gene causes red blood cells to bend, or sickle. This means the sickled cells _____.

Answer 1

Cannot carry normal levels of oxygen to cells

Answer 2

Sickle cells are shriveled and do not function properly. Thus, they cannot carry normal levels of oxygen to cells. Think of it this way— a healthy cell that properly carries oxygen to cells is round and smooth. That’s how the cell is supposed to be. When a cell is a shriveled sickle cell, it is damaged, and isn’t able to work like it’s meant to.
Something interesting about sickle cell disease is that you can be a carrier for it (aka homozygous for the trait, Xx). Carriers are actually resistant to malaria. They have regular blood cells AND sickle cells! However, if you’re homozygous (XX) you will have complete sickle cell disease. And that’s not fun!!
Hope this helped you at all!!