What is true about blood typing?
A) Type AB blood contains antigens A and B.
B) Type AB blood contains neither A nor B antigen.
C) Type B blood contains A antigen.
D) Type O blood contains antigens A and B.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is A) Type AB blood contains antigens A and B.
Explanation:
Blood typing is based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are proteins that determine a person’s blood group. The two most important blood group systems are the ABO system and the Rh system. In the ABO system, the blood type is determined by the presence of two antigens: A and B.
- Type AB blood contains both A and B antigens. People with this blood type are universal plasma donors because their plasma can be given to people of any ABO blood type. Type AB individuals do not produce antibodies against A or B antigens, making them compatible with all other blood types in terms of plasma transfusion.
- Type O blood does not contain either A or B antigens but contains antibodies against both A and B. This means that people with Type O blood can donate red blood cells to individuals of any ABO type, making them universal blood donors for red cell transfusion.
- Type A blood contains only A antigens and produces antibodies against B antigens, making it incompatible with type B and AB blood.
- Type B blood contains only B antigens and produces antibodies against A antigens, making it incompatible with type A and AB blood.
So, the statement that Type AB blood contains neither A nor B antigen (option B) is false. Type B blood contains A antigen (option C) is incorrect because it contains B antigen, not A. Type O blood contains antigens A and B (option D) is also incorrect, as Type O blood lacks both antigens.