The purpose of understanding the different antigens found on red blood cells is because of blood transfusions. Blood transfusion is the process of transferring blood from one person into another person's circulatory system. Blood transfusions can can be useful when the recipient loses a large amount of blood due to trauma or surgery. For blood transfusions to work, blood must be donated from people with matching blood types. If the blood is not matched, then the immune system of the recipient will attack the donated blood.
After birth, the immune system then makes antibodies against the antigens not found on the red blood cells. Antibodies are present on the B white blood cells. Below is a table containing information about antigens, antibodies and blood transfusions.
Table 1: Blood Types
Blood Type | Red Blood Cell Antigen | Antibodies in Blood | Receive Blood From | Donate Blood To
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
A | A | anti-B | O, A | A, AB
B | B | anti-A | O, B | B, AB
AB | A, B | None | O, A, B, AB | AB
O | None | anti-A, anti-B | O | O, A, B, AB
Use Table 1 to answer the following questions:
1. Which blood type would you have if antibodies A and B were made during your first year of life?
2. Which blood type is the universal donor?
3. Which blood type is the universal recipient?
4. Which ABO blood type has two different antigens on the surface of red blood cells?
5. Which ABO blood type has the A antigens on the surface of red blood cells?
6. If the blood plasma had antibody A, what type of blood would the immune system attack?
7. How are antibodies related to the type of blood a person can receive?