Lab 1 - Immune Cells and Agglutination Flashcards
What is an agglutination reaction?
The clumping of particles.
When do agglutination reactions happen?
When cells or particles are cross-linked with specific antibodies to form immune complexes.
What is the clumping of RBCs called?
Hemagglutination reaction
How does someone get their blood type?
It is genetically determined
What does someone who have type A blood have?
Their RBCs have type A cell surface proteins (antigens)
Type B antibodies exist in their blood
What does someone with a blood type of AB have?
Their RBCs express both type A and B cell surface proteins.
They have no antibodies in their blood.
What does the Rh system stand for?
Rhesus
What is someone who is Rh positive?
They have the Rh cell surface protein
Who is the universal donor? Why?
O-
Because they have no antigens on their membrane, so they won’t react with any blood
Who is the universal recipient? Why?
AB+
Because they have no antibodies in their blood, as their RBCs have all the antigens. So they can receive blood from anyone and there won’t be any antibodies to react.
Why is getting the right blood in a transfusion critical? What can happen?
Hemagglutination reactions in the capillaries can be very dangerous and even fatal
How can agglutination be used in diagnosis of diseases? What is this called?
Serotyping
You can test for specific antibodies within someones blood
How is serotyping done?
You suspend bacteria into serum. If the serum contains antibodies against antigens on the bacteria, they will cross-react, causing an agglutination reaction
What is blood plasma?
Everything except the RBCs
What is blood serum?
Everything except RBCs and clotting factors
