What is the Connection Between Sickle-Cell Anemia and Malaria

Question

What is the connection between sickle-cell anemia and malaria?
A) Both are X-linked.
B) Both are autosomal recessive.
C) Both are dominant.
D) Heterozygotes for malaria have some resistance to sickle-cell anemia.
E) Heterozygotes for sickle-cell anemia have some resistance to malaria.

Accepted Answer

Heterozygotes for sickle-cell anemia have a higher resistance to malaria due to the fact that sickle cell trait causes red blood cells to be less hospitable to the malaria parasite. This is why sickle-cell anemia is more prevalent in areas where malaria is common.