Chapter 21, Problem 7WYL

Summary Introduction

To describe:

Whether a person with blood type A should or should not donate blood to a person with blood type AB.

Introduction:

Erythrocytes are generally known as red blood cells or RBCs. The plasma membrane of an erythrocyte has many molecules called surface antigens or agglutinogens. These surface antigens project from the plasma membrane surface. The ABO blood group is the most commonly identified group of antigens, which are A and B surface antigens. The ABO surface antigens on erythrocytes are accompanied by specific antibodies or agglutinins that travel in the blood plasma. The ABO blood group has both anti-A and anti-B antibodies that react with the surface antigen A and the surface antigen B, respectively.