What do sicklecells look like?

Sickle cells are abnormally shaped red blood cells that resemble a crescent or sickle, rather than the typical round, disc shape of healthy red blood cells. This abnormal shape can cause the cells to become rigid and sticky, leading to blockages in blood vessels and reduced oxygen delivery throughout the body. The sickle shape arises from a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, which affects the structure of the hemoglobin protein within the cells.