Despite Causing a Life-Threatening Disease, the Sickle-Cell Allele in Some

question 32

Multiple Choice

Despite causing a life-threatening disease, the sickle-cell allele in some areas of Africa has remained in high frequency in those populations because it protects against malaria. In the United States, malaria was eradicated shortly before World War II by eliminating the mosquito that spreads the disease. What is likely to happen to the frequency of the sickle-cell allele in African Americans living in the United States?

• A) The frequency of the sickle-cell allele will decrease.
• B) The frequency of the sickle-cell allele will not change.
• C) The sickle-cell allele will disappear from the African American population.
• D) The frequency of the sickle-cell allele will increase.
• E) The normal allele will disappear from the African American population.