Sickle cell anaemia

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells, causing them to become rigid and sickle-shaped due to a mutation in the hemoglobin gene. This can lead to blockages in blood vessels, causing pain and potentially life-threatening complications like strokes. The disorder is inherited in a recessive manner, requiring two copies of the faulty allele for the disease to manifest. Carriers have one copy and are generally asymptomatic. Sickle cell anemia is prevalent in regions affected by malaria, as the sickle cell trait offers some protection against the disease. The malaria parasite struggles to survive in the altered red blood cells of carriers, breaking its life cycle.

Discuss the global distribution of sickle cell anemia and its relation to malaria.

How does carrying the sickle cell allele provide protection against malaria?