Question

With the help of a chart, explain the compatibility of human blood group.

Answer 1

Blood group	Antigen on surface of RBC	Antibody in Serum	Can donate blood to	Can receive blood from	Genotype
A	A	b	A, AB	A, O	$I^A{I}^A$ or $I^A{I}^O$
B	B	a	B, AB	B, O	$I^B{I}^B$ or $I^B{I}^O$
AB	A and B	Nil	AB	A, B, AB, O	$I^A{I}^B$
O	Nil	Both a and b	A, B, AB, O	O	$I^O{I}^O$

(1) In ABO system, the blood groups are determined by the presence or absence of antigen A and antigen B on the surface of red blood cells.

(2) The blood groups are of four types, viz. A, B, AB and O.
(3) In the person with blood group A, there is antigen A on the surface of their red blood cells (RBCs) and antibodies b in their plasma.
(4) In the person with blood group B, there is antigen B on the surface of their red blood cells (RBCs) and antibodies a in their plasma.
(5) In the person with blood group AB, there are both antigens A and B on the surface of their RBCs and no antibodies in their plasma.
(6) In the person with blood group O, there are no antigens A and B on the surface of their RBCs but have both a and b antibodies in their plasma.
(7) During blood transfusion compatibility of blood has to be taken into consideration. The donor donates the blood and the recipient receives the blood from the donor.
(8) A person with O blood group is called universal donor while the person with AB blood group is called universal recipient. Individuals with blood group O can donate blood to anyone, while those individuals with blood group AB can receive blood from any person.