Question

Give scientific reasons for the following statement:

Blood group AB is called universal recipient.

Answer 1

Blood group:

1. The blood group system is based on the presence or absence of antigens on the RBC membranes and plasma antibodies.
2. There are four major types of blood groups:
   1. Group A (contains antigen A),
   2. Group B (contains antigen B),
   3. Group AB (contains both A and B antigens), and
   4. Group O (doesn’t contain antigen A nor B).

Blood group AB is called universal recipient:

1. The blood group AB is very rare.
2. People with the AB blood group do not have any antibodies which can react with antigens.
3. They can receive blood from any group without the risk of agglutination. Due to this reason, blood group AB is called universal recipient.