G6pd deficiency is an inherited condition in which the body doesn't have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or g6pd, which red blood cells (rbcs) function normally. g6pd deficiency is most common in african-american males. many females are carriers. it is known that africa and the mediterranean basin are high-risk areas for the infectious disease malaria. researchers have found evidence that the parasite that causes malaria does not survive well in g6pd-deficient cells. how can you explain this?
a) natural selection favors g6pd deficiency as compared to malaria.
b) genetic drift is responsible for greater occurrence of g6pd deficiency in these regions.
c) somatic mutations lead to g6pd deficiency in malaria-inflicted regions.