Q1. The most appropriate statement about thalassemia is:
A The thalassemia gene is present on the Y chromosome.
B Thalassemia patients are able to manufacture normal haemoglobin.
C Thalassemia is caused due to a defect in RBC-producing genes.
D A thalassemia patient requires frequent blood transfusions in order to survive. Correct
Explanation
Thalassemia is an inherited disorder in which haemoglobin chain production is defective; severe cases, especially thalassemia major, need repeated blood transfusions for survival. The Y-chromosome claim is wrong because thalassemia is not a Y-linked disorder. The statement that patients manufacture normal haemoglobin is opposite to the disease mechanism. The RBC-producing-genes wording is imprecise: the core defect concerns globin-chain genes that affect haemoglobin, not genes for producing red blood cells as such. Hence the transfusion statement is the most appropriate among the printed choices.