What is Sickle Cell Anemia?
Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease that affects the circulatory system. In this disease, red blood cells are crescent shaped because an abnormal form of hemoglobin (protein found in red blood cells) is being produced.
What's the Difference Between Normal Red Blood Cells and Sickle Cells?
Normal red blood cells are very difference from sickle cells.
Red blood cells are soft, round and flexible. They easily fit through blood vessels and carry oxygen throughout the body.
Sickle cells are sticky and hard, so they will clump together and clog blood vessels. Oxygen cannot get to blocked tissues and organs because of the sickle cells blocking the blood vessels.
Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited disease that affects the circulatory system. In this disease, red blood cells are crescent shaped because an abnormal form of hemoglobin (protein found in red blood cells) is being produced.
What's the Difference Between Normal Red Blood Cells and Sickle Cells?
Normal red blood cells are very difference from sickle cells.
Red blood cells are soft, round and flexible. They easily fit through blood vessels and carry oxygen throughout the body.
Sickle cells are sticky and hard, so they will clump together and clog blood vessels. Oxygen cannot get to blocked tissues and organs because of the sickle cells blocking the blood vessels.