Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disease where a DNA triplet base in the gene coding for alpha-globin in haemoglobin changes from CTC to CAC. This mutation results in sickle shaped red blood cells that can cause a range of different symptoms.The diagram below shows the DNA base triplet change and the resulting change in the structure of red blood cells.
Identify the type of mutation that is illustrated in the diagram.
[1]
State a reason for your answer in part i).
[1]
Some mutations, such as those causing sickle cell anaemia, may be inherited by offspring.
Describe how mutations can be inherited by offspring.
Gene mutations lead to the formation of new alleles in a population.
Define the term 'allele'.
Did this page help you?