Beta thalassemia results in an excess of which type of hemoglobin chain?

In beta thalassemia, there is a genetic mutation that leads to reduced or absent production of beta globin chains, which are a component of hemoglobin. Since the synthesis of beta chains is impaired, there is a relative excess of alpha globin chains because the alpha chains continue to be produced at normal levels. This imbalance results in the accumulation of unpaired alpha chains, which can form aggregates, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and increased hemolysis.

The presence of excess alpha chains is significant because it contributes to various clinical manifestations of the disease, including anemia and associated symptoms. The unpaired alpha chains cannot properly form functional hemoglobin tetramers with beta chains, leading to ineffective red blood cell formation and reduced oxygen transport capacity.

Understanding this mechanism is crucial for recognizing how beta thalassemia affects hemoglobin composition and contributes to the pathology observed in affected individuals.