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Multiple Choice

Which antibodies are present in the plasma of a person with type O blood?

In the ABO system, antibodies present in plasma reflect antigens the person lacks on their own red blood cells. A person with type O blood has no A or B antigens on their RBCs, so their immune system makes antibodies against both A and B. Therefore, their plasma contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies. The other blood types either have one type of antibody (anti-B or anti-A) or none, depending on which antigens they express. This combination—having both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in plasma—is why type O shows both antibodies.

In the ABO system, antibodies present in plasma reflect antigens the person lacks on their own red blood cells. A person with type O blood has no A or B antigens on their RBCs, so their immune system makes antibodies against both A and B. Therefore, their plasma contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies. The other blood types either have one type of antibody (anti-B or anti-A) or none, depending on which antigens they express. This combination—having both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in plasma—is why type O shows both antibodies.