NEETZoologyPrinciples of Inheritance and Variation
What causes Thalassemia?
Options
- AMutation or deletion affecting the synthesis of globin chains
- BExcessive synthesis of hemoglobin
- CLack of red blood cell production
- DDefective oxygen transport by hemoglobin
Correct answer
A. Mutation or deletion affecting the synthesis of globin chains
Step-by-step solution
This is also an autosome-linked recessive blood disease transmitted from parents to the offspring when both the partners are unaffected carrier for the gene (or heterozygous). The defect could be due to either mutation or deletion which ultimately results in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains (α and β chains) that make up haemoglobin. This causes the formation of abnormal haemoglobin molecules resulting into anaemia which is characteristic of the disease. Thalassemia can be classified according t