Question

read the information before answering the question. how does sickle cell anemia affect red blood cells? it enlarges the red blood cells. it turns red blood cells into white blood cells. it causes the red blood cells to adopt a sickle - like shape.

Explanation:

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder. In this condition, due to a mutation in the gene that codes for hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen), the hemoglobin molecules can polymerize under certain conditions (like low oxygen levels). This polymerization causes the red blood cells, which are normally biconcave discs, to deform. The deformation results in a sickle - like (crescent - shaped) morphology. Enlarging red blood cells is not the characteristic feature of sickle cell anemia. Also, red blood cells and white blood cells are different types of blood cells with distinct functions and origins, and sickle cell anemia does not involve a transformation of red blood cells into white blood cells.

Answer:

It causes the red blood cells to adopt a sickle - like shape.