Blood Groups(haem, Physiology)

Question 1

Another name for antigens?

Answer 1

Agglutinogens

Question 2

Another name for antibodies?

Answer 2

Agglutinins

Question 3

Explain the four blood types

Answer 3

-Type A: Have surface antigen A and plasma anti-B antibodies.
-Type B:Have surface antigen B and plasma anti-A antibodies.
-Type AB- Have both antigens A and B and they have no antibodies.
-Type O: Have no antigens and have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

Question 4

Which blood type is the universal donor?

Answer 4

Blood type O-

Question 5

Which blood type is the universal recipient?

Answer 5

Blood type AB+

Question 6

How do we determine the blood types?

Answer 6

Blood is smeared on a slide, divided into three segments and mixed with anti-A, anti-B and anti-Rh.
-If agglutination occurs, that means that the blood has that paticular type that the antibody attacks.
E.g if agglutination occurs on the segment with anti-A antibodies, that means it is type A bcs anti-A antibodies functions to attack antigen A.
- Same goes for the rhesus factor if there is agglutination then the blood type is positive for the rhesus factor if there is no agglutination then they are negative.

Question 7

What happens if the donor and recipient’s blood types are not compatible during a blood transfusion?

Answer 7

-The antigens and antibodies will attack one another.
-Agglutination will occur, forming clumps that will block the blood vessels and interfere with the flow of oxygen and nutrients to tissues.
- Ruptures the RBCs which releases Hb and that can cause renal failure.

Question 8

Explain the hemolytic disease of a newborn.

Answer 8

-Let’s say a father with Rh+ impregnate a female with Rh-.
-The child then inherit the Rh+ from the father.
-During birth the Rh+ from the baby’s blood sensitizes the Rh- blood of the mother.
-This causes the mother to produce Rh+ antibodies.
-They then have another child, who inherits again the Rh+ from the father.
-During birth when there is mixing of blood, the Rh+ antibodies from the mother will attack the Rh+ antigen of the baby.
-This may cause rupture of RBCs and inadequate oxygen supply to tissues.
-However treatment of this disease involve pre-birth transfusions and exchange transfusions after birth.