In sickle cell anemia, the carrier (heterozygous) individuals can be identified by the microscopic examination of ____ cells.

Step-by-step solution

Sickle cell anemia is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells. Heterozygous individuals (carriers) possess one normal allele and one mutated allele ( Hb^A Hb^S ). Under conditions of low oxygen tension, the red blood cells of these carriers undergo sickling, which can be easily observed through the microscopic examination of blood cells. Answer: blood