Question

Name the various blood groups. Which blood group is called (a) universal donor and (b) universal recipient?

Answer 1

1. Blood groups, also called blood types, can be defined as the grouping of blood and are based on the presence or absence of genetically derived antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs).
2. Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian scientist discovered the ABO blood group system in the year 1900.

There are 4 main blood groups of human blood which are O, A, B, and AB, which is also called the ABO blood type.

1. Blood Group A– Presence of antigen A on the RBCs and antibody B in the plasma.
2. Blood group B–Presence of antigen B on the RBCs and A antibody in the plasma.
3. Blood group AB–Presence of both antigen A and B on the red blood cells and lacks the antibody.
4. Blood group O–Absence of both antigen A and B on the red blood cells and presence of both the antibodies A and B in the plasma.

Universal donor and universal recipient:

1. Blood group O can be donated to any of the other blood groups as it has no antigens, to initiate an antibody reaction. Thus blood group O is the universal donor.
2. AB blood group is considered as an universal recipient because this blood group has no anti-bodies hence it can receive blood from all groups.