Blood Banking Immunology Review Questions with complete Solutions 100% Pass
What are blood group antigens? - Answers Most blood group antigens are proteins, glycoproteins, or
glycolipids embedded in or protruding from the RBC membrane. Lewis antigens are exception. They are
soluble substances in the plasma that are absorbed from plasma onto the RBC membrane. Antigens are
also known as agglutinogens or immunogens.
List several blood group antigens of low incidence. - Answers Cw, V, Kpa ,Jsa, Lua, M8, Vw, Dia, Wra, and
Cob. These antigens are found in less than 1% of the population.
List several high incidence blood group antigens. - Answers Kpb, k, Jsb, Lub, I, Ge, Tja, Vel, Yta, Dib, Coa,
and U. These antigens are found in more than 99% of the population.
What is the most common pattern of inheritance for blood group genes? - Answers Autosomal
codominant. The genes are inherited equally by males and females and they are always expressed. For
example, if one inherits the A and B genes, both A and B antigens are detected on the RBCs.
Which RBC antigens are not fully expressed at birth? - Answers A, B, I, P1, Lewis and Lutheran.
What is an antibody? - Answers An immunoglobulin that is produced in response to stimulation by a
specific antigen and is capable of combining with the antigen that elicited its production. Antibodies are
also known as agglutinins. They are found in the plasma and serum.
What is an alloantibody? - Answers An antibody to a foreign antigen from someone of the same species.
What is an autoantibody? - Answers An antibody to an antigen that one possesses. Autoantibodies are
usually only produced in disease states.
What is a naturally-occurring antibody? - Answers One that develops without known antigenic stimulus,
for example, anti-A and anti-B.
What is an immune antibody? - Answers One that results from exposure to a foreign red cell antigen
through transfusion or pregnancy.
If an untransfused male has an unexpected alloantibody, what type of antibody must it be? - Answers A
naturally-occurring antibody. An untransfused male has not been exposed to foreign RBC antigens.
What are high-titer, low-avidity blood group antibodies? - Answers Antibodies that cause weak, variable,
and sometimes irreproducible reactions in the antiglobulin phase at high dilutions. They are not clinically
significant. Example include anti-Ch, Rg, JMH, Csa, Kna, McCa, and Yka.
Which immunoglobulin molecules are most frequently encountered in blood making? - Answers IgM and
IgG.
Compare the molecular structure of IgG and IgM and explain how their structure affects their reactivity
in blood bank testing. - Answers IgG is a monomer. Because of its small size, it usually cannot agglutinate
saline suspended RBCs. A potentiating medium or antiglobulin test is required. IgM is a pentamer.
What are blood group antigens? - Answers Most blood group antigens are proteins, glycoproteins, or
glycolipids embedded in or protruding from the RBC membrane. Lewis antigens are exception. They are
soluble substances in the plasma that are absorbed from plasma onto the RBC membrane. Antigens are
also known as agglutinogens or immunogens.
List several blood group antigens of low incidence. - Answers Cw, V, Kpa ,Jsa, Lua, M8, Vw, Dia, Wra, and
Cob. These antigens are found in less than 1% of the population.
List several high incidence blood group antigens. - Answers Kpb, k, Jsb, Lub, I, Ge, Tja, Vel, Yta, Dib, Coa,
and U. These antigens are found in more than 99% of the population.
What is the most common pattern of inheritance for blood group genes? - Answers Autosomal
codominant. The genes are inherited equally by males and females and they are always expressed. For
example, if one inherits the A and B genes, both A and B antigens are detected on the RBCs.
Which RBC antigens are not fully expressed at birth? - Answers A, B, I, P1, Lewis and Lutheran.
What is an antibody? - Answers An immunoglobulin that is produced in response to stimulation by a
specific antigen and is capable of combining with the antigen that elicited its production. Antibodies are
also known as agglutinins. They are found in the plasma and serum.
What is an alloantibody? - Answers An antibody to a foreign antigen from someone of the same species.
What is an autoantibody? - Answers An antibody to an antigen that one possesses. Autoantibodies are
usually only produced in disease states.
What is a naturally-occurring antibody? - Answers One that develops without known antigenic stimulus,
for example, anti-A and anti-B.
What is an immune antibody? - Answers One that results from exposure to a foreign red cell antigen
through transfusion or pregnancy.
If an untransfused male has an unexpected alloantibody, what type of antibody must it be? - Answers A
naturally-occurring antibody. An untransfused male has not been exposed to foreign RBC antigens.
What are high-titer, low-avidity blood group antibodies? - Answers Antibodies that cause weak, variable,
and sometimes irreproducible reactions in the antiglobulin phase at high dilutions. They are not clinically
significant. Example include anti-Ch, Rg, JMH, Csa, Kna, McCa, and Yka.
Which immunoglobulin molecules are most frequently encountered in blood making? - Answers IgM and
IgG.
Compare the molecular structure of IgG and IgM and explain how their structure affects their reactivity
in blood bank testing. - Answers IgG is a monomer. Because of its small size, it usually cannot agglutinate
saline suspended RBCs. A potentiating medium or antiglobulin test is required. IgM is a pentamer.
