In: Anatomy and Physiology
why blood type (AB) is called "universal recipient" and blood type (O) is called "universal donor" ? Please explain me step by step and very detail because I don't understand.
ANSWER ;
The transfusion of blood is based on the interaction between the specific protein (antigen) of blood RBCs and their contrsting antibodies present in the blood plasma. The agglutination of blood occurs when similar type of antibodies will transfuse in the blood of individual. e.g.- A person with blood type A always has antibody "B" in their blood plasma.
The blood type "AB" is called as universal recipient, because in the blood of type AB individuals have both the antigens A and B but there is no antibodies upon them, hence their RBCs would not agglutinate during blood transfusion from individuals of different blood groups that contain antibodies.
The individuals of blood type "O" are generally known as universal donor, because their blood contains both A and B antibodies but there is no antigen (A or B) on RBCs. Hence during the blood transfusion, recipient's blood does not agglutinate when they blood from "O" type