Biology 2013 JAMB Past Questions - Question 44: To which blood group do universal recipients belong? .

Correct Answer

C

Explanation

AB is called universal recipient because it receives blood from all the groups. It has both antigens A. and B on the surfaces of the red blood ceils but does not contain any antibody in it's plasma. The blood of the donor is centrifuged before transfusion during which large quantity of plasma along, with most of its antibodies.is removed. What is transfused is mainlyred blood cells with antigens on their surface-, suspended in little plasma containing little quantity of antibody. Mild agglutination occurs as a result of reaction between the antigens' of the recipient and corresponding antibody from the donor of these blood groups A, B and O. However the agglutination is diluted by the large volume of the recipients blood. Blood group 'O' is universal donor, that is, it donates blood to all the groups. It has no antigen but has antibodies 'a' and 'b which are drastically reduced during centrifugation before transfusion is effected. The resultant mild agglutination is diluted by the large volume of the recipient.