Pergunta

c) Charlotte and George, both nine years old, love to play. Charlotte notices that after a few hours of playing George complains of feeling tired.George is taken to the doctor and diagnosed with sickle-cell anaemia. Explain why having sickle-cell anaemia would cause George to feel tired. __
Solução

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Olivia MariaMestre · Tutor por 5 anos
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Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. In individuals with this condition, red blood cells become rigid and shaped like a sickle or crescent, rather than being flexible and round. This abnormal shape can cause several issues:<br /><br />1. **Reduced Oxygen Delivery**: The primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. The sickle-shaped cells are less efficient at carrying oxygen because they have a reduced surface area and can get stuck in small blood vessels, blocking normal blood flow.<br /><br />2. **Increased Breakdown of Red Blood Cells**: Sickle cells have a shorter lifespan than normal red blood cells, leading to a lower overall count of red blood cells (anemia). This means there are fewer cells available to transport oxygen.<br /><br />Due to these factors, George's body tissues and organs may not receive enough oxygen, leading to fatigue and tiredness as his body struggles to meet its energy demands.
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