What type of surface antigen does type O blood lack?

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Multiple Choice

What type of surface antigen does type O blood lack?

Red blood cells show ABO antigens that are added as sugars by specific enzymes. A and B antigens are created only if those transferase enzymes are present. In type O, those enzymes aren’t expressed, so neither A nor B sugars are attached. The red cell surface ends up with only the H antigen and lacks both A and B surface antigens. This absence is the reason type O is the universal donor for red cells.

Red blood cells show ABO antigens that are added as sugars by specific enzymes. A and B antigens are created only if those transferase enzymes are present. In type O, those enzymes aren’t expressed, so neither A nor B sugars are attached. The red cell surface ends up with only the H antigen and lacks both A and B surface antigens. This absence is the reason type O is the universal donor for red cells.

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