Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited human disease. It causes the body to produce red blood cells that have an irregular shape. The gene for the disease is passed on from generation to generation.
:Fig. 4.19
Examine the pattern of inheritance for sickle cell anaemia shown in the family tree below and answer the questions that follow. 1
2
Male not ell aaem
Male ll
8
36 9
45 10 :Fig. 4.20
a. Square 1 and circle 2 are a married couple. How many children did this couple have? b. Some non-sufferers may be carriers of the disease. This means that they have inherited the sickle cell gene, but they don’t suffer from the disease. What evidence is there from the diagram that persons 6 and 7 are both carriers?
c. Suffering from sickle cell anaemia is an example of a genetically controlled characteristic. Classify the characteristics below as being either genetically controlled or not genetically controlled by placing a tick () in the correct column in each case.
Characteristic
Eye colour How to cycle a bike
j Go to page 19 of your Assessment Book to answer more exam-style questions. 42 Elements of Science Genetically controlled Not genetically controlled 7