question_answer

Thalassemia is a blood disorder that can be inherited.

(i) Write its different types.

(ii) Mention its causes.

Answer:

Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disease.

(i) The two forms of thalassemia are

(a) \[\alpha \]-thalassemia The production of a-globin chain of haemoglobin is affected which is governed by the genes on 16th chromosome.

(b) \[\beta \]-thalassemia The production of b-chain is affected which is governed by a gene on 11th chromosome.

(ii) Thalassemia is caused by either the mutation or deletion of genes, resulting in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chain of haemoglobin.