Step 1: Understand sickle
-cell disease.
Sickle
-cell disease is an inherited blood disorder caused by a single amino acid substitution in the hemoglobin protein, where glutamic acid is replaced by valine. This substitution creates hydrophobic interactions that cause hemoglobin to aggregate and form fibers. These fibers distort the red blood cells, making them sickle
-shaped and reducing their ability to carry oxygen.