Students in a health class are studying the circulatory system. They learn that normal red blood cells transport oxygen in the bloodstream. A mutation in the DNA of a single gene in red blood cells changes the shape of the cells and the ability of the cells to transport oxygen, resulting
in a disorder called sickle cell anemia. One student claims that the red blood cells must be using a protein to carry oxygen.
Which two concepts can the student use as evidence for this claim?
A. Genes contain the code for making proteins.
O
B. DNA is made up of four types of nucleotide bases.
j
C. Oxygen is essential for cell metabolism in humans.
D. Red blood cells turn bright red in the presence of oxygen.
OE. A mutated protein may not be able to carry out normal function.