[Campbell Biology P.1019] A person with Type O blood needs a blood transfusion. If this indiv... | Practice Question

A person with Type O blood needs a blood transfusion. If this individual receives Type A blood, what is the primary reason for a potential severe transfusion reaction?

  • A: The recipient's red blood cells would be lysed by anti-A antibodies in the donor's Type A blood.
  • B: The recipient's anti-A antibodies would cause lysis of the transfused Type A red blood cells.
  • C: The donor's anti-B antibodies would react with the recipient's naturally occurring B carbohydrates.
  • D: The recipient's anti-B antibodies would destroy the donor's anti-A antibodies.

Explanation

A person with Type O blood naturally produces anti-A and anti-B antibodies because their red blood cells lack both A and B carbohydrates. If Type A blood which carries A carbohydrates is transfused into a Type O recipient, the recipient's pre-existing anti-A antibodies will bind to the A carbohydrates on the transfused red blood cells, causing a severe immune reaction, including lysis of the red blood cells.