A researcher was studying red blood cells from a patient homozygous for the sickle cell mutation in the -globin gene (E6V). She found that increasing

A researcher was studying red blood cells from a patient homozygous for the sickle cell mutation in the β-globin gene (βE6V). She found that increasing the concentration of one of the following chemicals decreased the frequency of sickling by these cells. What chemical is this most likely to be? (Please be sure to discuss why you choose your answer and why the other choices are incorrect)

A. 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (BPG)

B. Fe2+

C. glucose

D. histidine

E. O2