Blood Lecture #3

Question 1

Describe what a blood antigen is

Answer 1

A marker in the red blood cells that is embedded within a cell membrane

Question 2

Describe what an antibody is and where they come from

Answer 2

What it is: A group of plasma proteins that play a role in immune response
Where they come from: B Lymphocytes or B-Cells

Question 3

List some general functions of antibodies

Answer 3

• Mark cells for destruction
• Deactivate viruses and toxins directly
• Function as glue that causes antigens to clump together so that it’s easier for immune system to get rid of a threat

Question 4

What is agglutination?

Answer 4

Agglutination is the clumping together of antigens

Question 5

Assuming someone is A-, what would the antigen be?

Answer 5

A Antigen

Question 6

Someone will naturally produce the antibodies for the antigen they ____ have.

Answer 6

DONT

Question 7

If an RH marker is present, the person is ________.

Answer 7

RH Positive

Question 8

If an RH marker is negative, the person is __________.

Answer 8

RH Negative

Question 9

If someone is Type O, they lack what antigenic markers?

Answer 9

ALL Antigenic Markers

Question 10

For the donation of blood, you are concerned with the donors _______ and the recipients __________.

Answer 10

Donors antigen(s) and recipients antibodies

Question 11

What antigens would you find on the surface of a blood cell for someone who is B+?

Answer 11

B Antigens

Question 12

What antibodies would someone who is B+ produce naturally?

Answer 12

Anti-A Antibodies

Question 13

Describe the physiological basis of a transfusion reaction.

Answer 13

Rh antibodies are small. Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies are MUCH larger. Once the antibodies bind to red blood cells, they cause the cells to clump. This clumping activates the compliment system. The compliment system is a group of immune proteins that embed themselves into the surface of cells until the RBCs rupture. When they rupture, hemoglobin is released and floats arounds in the bloodstream until it gets to the kidneys. The kidneys then get clogged up as they try to filter out the proteins but cant and it begins to shut down. This then triggers an immune response and can eventually lead to death.

Question 14

What are two examples of IgM antibodies?

Answer 14

Anti-A and Anti-B Antibodies

Question 15

What is an example of an IgG Antibody?

Answer 15

Anti-Rh Antibodies

Question 16

True or False: Maternal and fetal blood mix all the time during gestation

Answer 16

False

Question 17

What protects maternal and fetal blood from mixing?

Answer 17

Placenta

Question 18

Describe how hemolytic disease of the baby occurs and its treatment.

Answer 18

Rh- mother is carrying an Rh+ baby. Rh+ baby’s blood enters the mother’s bloodstream. Rh+ blood cells cause the production of Rh antibodies. Rh antibodies remain in the mother’s bloodstream. Upon another pregnancy with an Rh+ baby, the mother’s antibodies begin attacked the baby.

Treatment: Rhogan. This will suppress the antibody production.

Question 19

What are some ways a person could be exposed to the Rh antigen?

Answer 19

Blood transfusion or IV drug use.