Clumping of RBC may occur when blood of one person is mixed with serum...
The RBC membrane contains either antigen A or antigen B, or both Antigen A and B or no antigen at all, accordingly the blood is classified as blood group A , B , AB and O respectively. The blood plasma of blood group A will have antibodies for B, that of B will have antibodies for A, that of AB will have non, while that of O will have both the antibodies. If blood is transfused at random this will lead to antigen-antibody reaction - like if A is the blood group of the recipient while the blood group of the donor happens to be B, this will lead to clumping of the RBCs.
So, the correct answer is 'Antigen-antibody reaction'
This question is part of UPSC exam. View all NEET courses
Clumping of RBC may occur when blood of one person is mixed with serum...
Clumping of RBC: Overview
When blood from one person is mixed with the serum or blood of another, clumping or agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) may occur. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to antigen-antibody reactions.
Understanding Antigen-Antibody Reaction
- **Antigens**: These are specific molecules found on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs) that can trigger an immune response. Different individuals have different blood groups based on the types of antigens present (e.g., A, B, AB, O).
- **Antibodies**: These are proteins produced by the immune system in response to foreign antigens. When an antibody encounters its specific antigen, it binds to it, leading to various immune responses, including clumping of RBCs.
Mechanism of Clumping
- When blood from one individual is mixed with serum containing antibodies from another:
- **Specificity**: If the blood contains antigens that are recognized by the antibodies in the serum, the antibodies will bind to these antigens.
- **Agglutination**: This binding causes the RBCs to clump together, as antibodies can bridge multiple RBCs, linking them through the antigen-antibody complexes.
Clinical Relevance
- **Blood Typing**: This reaction is critical in blood transfusions, where mismatched blood types can lead to severe reactions. For instance, if Type A blood is mixed with anti-A antibodies (from Type B serum), agglutination occurs, potentially causing serious health issues.
In summary, the clumping of RBCs upon mixing different blood types is a direct result of antigen-antibody reactions, emphasizing the importance of compatibility in blood transfusions.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.