Which blood type has neither A nor B antigens?

Which blood type has neither A nor B antigens?

• A. Type O
• B. Type A
• C. Type B
• D. Type AB

Answer: (A)

The red blood cell surface has specific markers called A and B antigens that define ABO types. If a type has the A antigen, it’s type A; if it has the B antigen, it’s type B; if it has both, it’s type AB; and if it has neither, it’s type O. So the blood type with no A or B antigens is Type O. It’s also worth noting that individuals with this type have antibodies against both A and B antigens in their plasma, which is why donor RBCs from type O are often used in transfusions when antigen compatibility of the cells is the primary concern. The other types all carry at least one of the A or B antigens on their red cells.

The red blood cell surface has specific markers called A and B antigens that define ABO types. If a type has the A antigen, it’s type A; if it has the B antigen, it’s type B; if it has both, it’s type AB; and if it has neither, it’s type O. So the blood type with no A or B antigens is Type O. It’s also worth noting that individuals with this type have antibodies against both A and B antigens in their plasma, which is why donor RBCs from type O are often used in transfusions when antigen compatibility of the cells is the primary concern. The other types all carry at least one of the A or B antigens on their red cells.