Which statement about the haemoglobin C mutation is correct?

Which statement about the haemoglobin C mutation is correct?

• A. HbC mutation increases red blood cell lifespan
• B. Haemoglobin C mutation changes shape of red blood cells
• C. HbC mutation does not affect red blood cell shape
• D. HbC mutation decreases oxygen affinity

Answer: (B)

Haemoglobin C arises from a single amino acid change in the beta-globin chain, which causes HbC to crystallize inside red blood cells, especially when they are deoxygenated. Those intracellular crystals distort the cell's form, so red blood cells End up with an altered shape (often seen as target-like cells on a smear). That change in shape is the most characteristic and observable effect of the HbC mutation, making the statement about shape the best description. HbC does not typically increase red cell lifespan; it can contribute to mild hemolysis, and it does not consistently alter oxygen affinity in a way that would be described by the other statements.

Haemoglobin C arises from a single amino acid change in the beta-globin chain, which causes HbC to crystallize inside red blood cells, especially when they are deoxygenated. Those intracellular crystals distort the cell's form, so red blood cells End up with an altered shape (often seen as target-like cells on a smear). That change in shape is the most characteristic and observable effect of the HbC mutation, making the statement about shape the best description. HbC does not typically increase red cell lifespan; it can contribute to mild hemolysis, and it does not consistently alter oxygen affinity in a way that would be described by the other statements.