Test Your SCA Knowledge

Individuals with sickle cell anemia have inherited two abnormal "S" hemoglobin genes.

True or False
Everyone inherits a set of genes from each parent; these genes determine the color of ones hair, eyes, skin color, height, etc. Because the abnormal gene for sickle cell anemia is not a dominant gene, one must inherit an abnormal “S” gene from each parent to be born with sickle cell anemia.
True

Sickle cells are rigid, fragile and distorted in shape.

True or False
Unlike normal red blood cells, the hard, rigid and distorted shape of sickle red blood cells obstructs blood flow through small blood vessels. In addition, the lifespan of sickle red blood cells are reduced from an average 120 days to only 10 to 30 days.
True

Sickle cell trait is a mild form of sickle cell anemia.

True or False
Those who have the sickle cell trait are carriers of sickle cell anemia and do not have the disease nor will they ever develop the disease. These individuals have inherited a normal “A” gene from one parent and an abnormal “S” gene from the other parent. The problem lies in these individuals having children with one who is either a carrier or has the disease. This puts their children at risk of inheriting the disease.
False

Sickle cell disease is an abnormality of the coloring material (hemoglobin) of the red cells.

True or False
The red substance in the red blood cell is called hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to all parts of the body.
True

Sickle cell trait can turn into sickle cell anemia.

True or False
Those who have the sickle cell trait are merely carriers of sickle cell anemia and do not have the disease nor will they ever develop the disease.
False

Sickle hemoglobin is passed on to the child by one or both parents through heredity.

True or False
Again, everyone inherits a set of genes from each parent; if the child has the trait he or she received the sickle hemoglobin gene from one parent, however if the child has the disease he or she received the sickle hemoglobin gene from both parents.
True

Sickle cell disease only affects Africans and African-Americans.

True or False
Though the sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease are found mainly in people of African descent, other groups are affected, such as, Arabs, Greeks, Italians, Eastern Jews, Latin Americans and Native Americans.
False

Sickle cell diseases are contagious.

True or False
Sickle cell diseases are not contagious they are inherited from ones parents.
False

Infections, overexertion, unusual stress, or high altitudes can start pain crises.

True or False
The reduction of oxygen in the body is the primary stimulus for the sickling of red blood cells; therefore any condition that will reduce the oxygen content in the body can cause the red blood cells to sickle resulting in pain crises.
True

There is a cure for sickle cell.

True or False
Bone marrow or stem cell transplant is currently the only cure for sickle cell, however because the risks are so high it is reserved as a last resort.
True