Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells. A mutation can cause a defect in human hemoglobin. Which is most likely caused by this type of mutation?

Hemoglobin binds and carries oxygen in red blood cells. A mutation that alters hemoglobin can change how well it performs this job, so decreased ability to carry oxygen is most likely. It would not directly cause an inability to break down sugar or bacterial infections.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.