Question:

In sickle-cell anemia, the negatively charged glutamic acid residue is replaced by which one of the following neutral amino acids?

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"Glu to Val at position 6" is the classic sickle cell mutation.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • glycine
  • valine
  • alanine
  • leucine
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation


Step 1: Concept

Sickle-cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by a single point mutation in the $\beta$-globin chain of hemoglobin.

Step 2: Meaning

A point mutation occurs where the codon GAG (coding for glutamic acid) is changed to GUG (coding for valine).

Step 3: Analysis

Glutamic acid is a polar, negatively charged amino acid, while valine is a non-polar, hydrophobic, neutral amino acid. This substitution at the sixth position of the $\beta$-chain causes hemoglobin to polymerize under low oxygen conditions.

Step 4: Conclusion

The replacing amino acid is valine. Final Answer: (B)
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