Question

Explain different types of blood groups and donor compatibility by making a table.

Answer 1

BO blood grouping is based* on the presence or absence of two surface antigens on the RBCs namely A and B. Similarly, the plasma of different individuals contains two natural antibodies anti-A and anti-B. Blood group ‘A’ carries antigen-A and antibodies B. The donor group for blood group A are A and O. Blood group B carries antigen B and antibodies-A. The donor group for blood group B are B and O. Blood group AB carries antigens A and B but no corresponding antibodies so, the compatible donor group for blood group AB are A, B, AB and O hence, blood group ‘AB’ is also called as “universal acceptor’’. Blood group ‘O’ carries no antigens but carries antibodies both A and B hence its compatible donor group is only ‘O’ but it is a compatible donor group for all the blood groups. A, B, AB and O hence, blood group ‘O’ is called a ‘universal donor’.

Blood groups and donor compatibility

Blood Group	Antigen on RBCs	Antibodies in Plasma	Donor’s Compatibility
A	A	Anti-B	A, O
B	B	Anti-A	B, O
AB	AB	Nil	AB, A, B, 0
O	Nil	Anti – A, B	O