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Chapter 15: Solutions - Weironline.net

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CHEMISTRY and<br />

Society<br />

Sickle Cell Disease<br />

There are millions of red blood cells in a single<br />

drop of blood. Red blood cells play a crucial role,<br />

transporting oxygen throughout the body.<br />

Hemoglobin in Red Blood Cells<br />

The cells pictured at the right appear red because<br />

they contain a bright red molecule—a protein called<br />

hemoglobin. One molecule of hemoglobin contains<br />

four iron(II) ions. Four oxygen molecules bind to<br />

each molecule of hemoglobin as blood passes<br />

through the lungs. As the blood circulates through<br />

the body, hemoglobin releases oxygen to the cells<br />

that make up various body tissues.<br />

Healthy red blood cells are round and flexible,<br />

passing easily through narrow capillaries. But,<br />

hemoglobin in people with sickle cell disease differs<br />

from normal hemoglobin.<br />

What makes sickle cells different?<br />

Each hemoglobin molecule consists of four chains.<br />

The entire molecule contains 574 amino acid<br />

groups. In people with sickle cell disease, two nonpolar<br />

amino acid groups are substituted for two<br />

polar amino acid groups. As a result, there is less<br />

repulsion between hemoglobin molecules, which<br />

allows abnormal hemoglobin molecules to clump<br />

together. This causes the abnormal hemoglobin molecules<br />

to be less soluble in the red blood cells, especially<br />

after oxygen has been absorbed through the<br />

lungs. The abnormal hemoglobin forces the red<br />

blood cells to become rigid and C-shaped, resembling<br />

the farming tool called a sickle.<br />

These unusually shaped sickle cells clog the circulatory<br />

system, reducing blood flow. Therefore,<br />

oxygen supply to nearby tissues is reduced. Sickle<br />

cell disease causes pain, anemia, stroke, and susceptibility<br />

to infection.<br />

Searching for a Cure<br />

While most individuals with sickle cell disease<br />

have Mediterranean or African ancestry, it is common<br />

practice to screen all newborns in the United<br />

States for the condition. Research shows that early<br />

intervention can reduce the risk of serious infection,<br />

the leading cause of death in children with sickle<br />

cell disease. Intensive chemotherapy and stem cell<br />

482 <strong>Chapter</strong> <strong>15</strong> <strong>Solutions</strong><br />

transfusions are being studied as ways to treat and<br />

possibly cure sickle cell disease.<br />

Investigating the Issue<br />

1. Communicating Ideas Learn about the latest<br />

advances in sickle cell disease research.<br />

Create a chart that shows major symptoms,<br />

their causes, and their treatment. Share your<br />

findings with other students in your class.<br />

2. Debating the Issue The intensive chemotherapy<br />

required to treat sickle cell disease<br />

drastically weakens the immune system, leaving<br />

the patient vulnerable to overwhelming<br />

infection. Five to eight percent of the children<br />

who undergo this treatment do not survive.<br />

Should doctors be allowed to use this procedure<br />

to treat sickle cell disease?<br />

Visit the Chemistry Web site at<br />

chemistrymc.com to find links to more<br />

information about sickle cell disease.

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