Question

The hereditary disease called "sickle cell anemia" occurs in the human population due to .........

• A. Natural Selection
• B. Mutation
• C. Numerical Chromosomal Aberration
• D. Genetic Drift

Hint:

Sickle cell anemia is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, which affects red blood cell shape and function.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding sickle cell anemia.
Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
- Natural Selection is the process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce. While sickle cell anemia provides some resistance to malaria, it is not directly caused by natural selection.
- Mutation is the correct answer, as sickle cell anemia results from a genetic mutation where glutamic acid is replaced by valine in the hemoglobin gene.
- Numerical Chromosomal Aberration refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes, which does not cause sickle cell anemia.
- Genetic Drift is a random change in allele frequencies, but it is not the direct cause of sickle cell anemia.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (2) Mutation.
Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{The correct answer is (2) Mutation.}} \]