An antigen is a substance that can activate the immune system to produce antibodies. in the blood, the reaction of antibodies and antigens can cause clumping - never a good thing. the abo and rh blood typing systems are based on certain antigen molecules on the plasma surfaces of red blood cells. type 0- blood has been identified as universal donor blood type because it has "zero" antigens to a, b or rh on its red blood cells - so there is no danger of a recipient's anti-a, anti-b or anti-rh antibodies clumping the donated "o" red blood cells during a transfusion. in contrast, a different blood type is called the universal recipient blood type. what blood type is called the universal recipient blood type, and why?
a. the universal recipient blood is ab+. because it has the a, b and rh antigens on its cell membranes, it has no antibodies to a, b or rh antigens its blood plasma. if it did, the blood would agglutinate itself, so to speak. therefore, there is no danger of an ab+ recipient's blood clumping donated red blood cells which have a, b or rh antigens.
b. the universal recipient blood is abo. it does not contain any anti-a, anti-b, or anti-rh antibodies in its plasma. therefore, type ab- blood does not clump any donor’s red blood cells containing a, b, or rh antigens.
c. the universal recipient blood is 0- that has been cross-matched for minor antigens.
d. none of the above