Evolutionary biology is important in health science Ch. 14.5

Natural Selection and Sickle Cell Disease Sickle cell disease affects those who have inherited the recessive allele for BOTH parents If a person is HETEROZYGOUS, they do NOT have the disease

In Africa, it’s HELPFUL to have the sickle cell gene! Resistance to malaria (mosquito borne illness)

Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria ANTIBIOTICS  drugs that help kill or slow the growth of bacteria However, when it’s overused, people become immune to them (similar to pesticides)

Examples of this? TB, flu, MRSA, etc Keeps public health officials busy

Concept Check Under what conditions is the sickle cell allele beneficial to a heterozygous individual? Identify a possible risk of overuse of antibiotics.