Chapter 17 - Blood - Review Questions - Page 656: 10

The correct answer is "d". A person who has AB type blood in the ABO system has both A antigens and B antigens on his/her red blood cells (RBCs). It follows that the person cannot have anti-A or anti-B antibodies in his plasma or his antigens and his antibodies would react and destroy his erythrocytes (RBcs). Rh+ve means that the person has the D antigen ( coded for by a dominant gene of the rhesus antigen system. So this person is most likely D/D or D/d ( among other things) . Anyway, the D glycolipid proteins on his RBC membranes would make him/her Rh+ve.

The question involves two blood antigen systems--the ABO system and the Rh or rhesus system The polysaccharide antigens of the ABO system are A, and B. These are co-dominant. Genetic combinations result in four blood types based on this system of antigens: 1. People with antigen A (agglutinogen A) on their RBCs belong to Blood type A.(Group A) People with this blood type have anti-B antibodies( agglutinins) in their blood plasma 2. People who have only B antigens on their RBCs have Blood type B in this system. People with Blood type B have anti-A antibodies/agglutinins in their plasma 3. Some people have both antigen A and antigen B on their RBCs. Their blood type is AB These people, of course, can have none of the agglutinins of this system in their blood plasma or they would destroy their own blood 4. The fourth blood type in this system is the "O" blood type. People with this blood type have neither A, nor B antigens on their red blood cells. They are said to have blood type "O" ( not zero). These people have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies ( agglutinins) in their blood plasma. There are many other systems of RBC antigens . Next in importance to the ABO system is the Rhesus (Rh) system. This is a system of many antigens including D,C,E,c and e antigens. The most important for human human transfusion and pregnancy is the D antigen. Individuals with D antigens on their RBCs are considered Rh positive (Rh+ve). With regard to well-being in pregnancy, and the risk of developing erythroblastosis fetalis, people who do not have the D antigen are considered Rh negative(Rh-ve). Donors People with O negative blood type are universal RBC donors People with AB blood type are universal plasma donors Group A people can donate RBCs to A and AB blood types recipients Group B people can donate RBCs to B and AB type recipients Group AB people are called " universal recipients; they have no ABO type agglutinins in their plasma and therefore can receive RBCs from all ABO types They can also donate RBCs to type AB recipients.