Malaria, a disease the infects RBCs, and sickle cell anemia (SCA), a homozygous recessive disease that shortens the life cycle of RBCs, both effect millions of people worldwide. During massive malarial outbreaks, researchers have observed that individuals with a mild form of SCA are more disease resistant when compared to normal individuals within the same population. Which of the following accounts for this finding? (QID 133403)
A. Mild SCA confers a protective effect due to a genetic mutation affecting RBCs.
B. Malaria directly stimulates hemoglobin production by RBC in people with mild SCA.
C. RBCs in non-SCA individuals tend to be less susceptible to malaria-induced
apoptosis.
D. Non-SCA individuals tend to consume more malaria-infected grains that make the
disease more potent.