Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

17. The Blood

Erythrocytes: Hemoglobin

Anatomy & Physiology

17. The Blood

Erythrocytes: Hemoglobin

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1:44 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply. A child is diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. This means that
a. One parent had sickle cell anemia.
b. One parent carried the sickle cell gene.
c. Both parents had sickle cell anemia.
d. Both parents carried the sickle cell gene.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the genetic basis of sickle cell anemia: Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive disorder, meaning that a child must inherit two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent) to develop the condition.

Review the inheritance patterns: If a child has sickle cell anemia, both parents must have contributed a defective copy of the sickle cell gene. This means both parents are either carriers (heterozygous for the gene) or have sickle cell anemia themselves (homozygous for the gene).

Analyze option a: If one parent had sickle cell anemia, they would pass one defective gene to the child. However, the child would still need a defective gene from the other parent to develop the condition.

Analyze option b: If one parent carried the sickle cell gene, the child would only inherit one defective gene, which would make them a carrier, not someone with sickle cell anemia. This option alone cannot explain the diagnosis.

Analyze option d: Both parents carrying the sickle cell gene (heterozygous carriers) is the most likely scenario for the child to inherit two defective copies of the gene, leading to sickle cell anemia. This aligns with the autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Sickle Cell Anemia Genetics

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that a child must inherit two copies of the mutated gene (one from each parent) to express the disease. Understanding this genetic inheritance is crucial for determining the likelihood of a child being affected.

Carrier Status

A carrier of the sickle cell gene has one normal hemoglobin gene and one mutated gene. Carriers typically do not exhibit symptoms of sickle cell anemia but can pass the mutated gene to their offspring. Recognizing carrier status is important in genetic counseling and understanding the risk of having a child with the disease.

Punnett Square

A Punnett square is a tool used in genetics to predict the probability of an offspring inheriting particular traits from its parents. By mapping out the possible combinations of alleles from each parent, it helps illustrate the chances of a child being affected by genetic conditions like sickle cell anemia. This concept aids in understanding the inheritance patterns of genetic disorders.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Brittany, a healthy young woman, had a battery of tests during a physical for a new job. Her RBC count was at the higher end of the normal range at that time, but four weeks later it was substantially elevated beyond that. When asked if any circumstances had changed in her life, she admitted to taking up smoking. How might her new habit explain her higher RBC count?

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

If an Rh ⁻ mother becomes pregnant, when can hemolytic disease of the newborn not possibly occur in the child?

a. If the child is Rh ⁻

b. If the child is Rh⁺

c. If the father is Rh⁺

d. If the father is Rh ⁻

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Textbook Question

A woman comes to the clinic complaining of fatigue, shortness of breath, and chills. Blood tests show anemia, and a bleeding ulcer is diagnosed. What type of anemia is this?

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Textbook Question

More than one choice may apply.

In a person with sickle cell anemia, sickling of RBCs can be induced by

a. Blood loss

b. Vigorous exercise

c. Stress

d. Fever

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Textbook Question