The selection of the sickle cell trait occurred prior to the origin of agriculture, and possibly prior to the origin of Homo sapiens. This is shown by examining the evolutionary history of Plasmodium, the genetics of abnormal hemoglobin, and finally the skeletal traits of bone affected by sickle cell disease. Malarial parasites, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, evolved eight to ten million years ago, making it possible for humans to be infected with malaria as early as the time of the split between human and chimpanzee. A single point mutation in DNA transcription led to the circulation of hemoglobin S (HbS)in the gene pool, giving rise to a number of individuals homozygous for the trait. Individuals homozygous for the sickle cell trait (HbSS) exhibit signs of the disease in the skeleton. Traits of sickle cell disease mimic other forms of anemia, making differential diagnosis a primary goal in determining whether or not sickle cell disease is present in the fossil record. A diagnosis of sickle cell disease in the fossil record confirms the hypothesis that the sickle cell trait evolved prior to the origin of agriculture. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Anthropology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2004. / March 15, 2004. / Origin of Malaria, Sickle Cell Disease, Paleopathology / Includes bibliographical references. / Glenn Doran, Committee Member; Elizabeth Peters, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_181827 |
| Contributors | Jefferson, Kellei L. (authoraut), Doran, Glenn (committee member), Peters, Elizabeth (committee member), Department of Anthropology (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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