How are blood type O universal donors when...?

blood type O has both anti A and anti-B antibodies. That means they can't donate to tpye A or B and are therefore not universal donors as this article says.

Reply 1

Tom4510

8

Type O blood contains type A and Type B Antibodies in the plasma, which would coagulate blood that isnt free of these antigens - Type O.

Reply 2

Blue Rose

OP

15

Tom4510

Type O blood contains type A and Type B Antibodies in the plasma, which would coagulate blood that isnt free of these antigens - Type O.

Yeah I read it again and finally got it but I've changed the question now. I don't understand why type O is a universal donor.

Thanks though. :smile:

Reply 3

azhao

3

Thats why they use a centrifuge.

Reply 4

Flozza_X

Blue Rose

Yeah I read it again and finally got it but I've changed the question now. I don't understand why type O is a universal donor.

Thanks though. :smile:

Because even though type O blood contains anti-A and anti-B antibodies it doesn't matter, as you always ignore the antibodies of donor's blood as they're in such minimal amount agglutination doesn't take effect.

Reply 5

NoHands

17

i thought tpe o could recieve an blood tpe, can they give it out too?

Reply 6

Blue Rose

OP

15

Okay I understand why type O is a universal donor but why are they not universal receivers?

Reply 7

Flozza_X

Because they contain both anti-A and anti-B antibodies that bind to A and B antigens that are contained in type A (A antigen) blood, type B (B antigen containing) blood and AB (both)...thus causing agglutination and possible clotting of the blood.
They can be a universal donor as there is a minimal amount of antibodies contained in the donor type O blood that could bind with A/B antigens --> no agglutination.

Reply 8

Blue Rose

OP

15

Flozza_X

Because they contain both anti-A and anti-B antibodies that bind to A and B antigens that are contained in type A (A antigen) blood, type B (B antigen containing) blood and AB (both)...thus causing agglutination and possible clotting of the blood.
They can be a universal donor as there is a minimal amount of antibodies contained in the donor type O blood that could bind with A/B antigens --> no agglutination.

I understand now, thanks :smile:

How are blood type O universal donors when...?

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