Question

2. What antigens and antibodies determine blood type? What are the antigens made of?

Answer 1

There are two antigens, A and B. If you have the A antigen on the RBC, then you have type A blood. When B antigen is present, you have type B blood. When both A and B antigens are present, you have type AB blood. When neither are present, you have type O blood.

Answer 2

When an antigen is present on the RBC, then the opposite antibody (also called agglutinin) is present in the plasma. For instance, type A blood has anti-type-B antibodies. Type B blood has anti-type-A antibodies. Type AB blood has no antibodies in the plasma, and type O blood has both anti-type-A and anti-type-B antibodies in the plasma. These antibodies are not present at birth but are formed spontaneously during infancy and last throughout life.

Answer 3

And antigens are made up of proteins and carbohydrates.

Answer 4

Thank you for helping me understand. I am really grateful:)