Question

If a person has type \(\mathrm{B}\) blood, it means there are a. anti-A antibodies in the plasma. b. no \(B\) antigens on the red blood cells. c. \(\mathrm{Rh}\) antigens on the red blood cells. d. no Rh antigens on the red blood cells. e. Both a and d are correct.

Short answer

The correct statement about type B blood is that it has anti-A antibodies in the plasma. \( \boxed{\text{a}} \)

Step-by-step solution

Option a

Type B blood has B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. Since the immune system considers A antigens as foreign, it will produce anti-A antibodies as a defense mechanism. Therefore, type B blood has anti-A antibodies in the plasma. Option a is correct.

Option b

This statement is not true because type B blood has B antigens on the surface of red blood cells, not the absence of them.

Option c

The Rh antigen is another antigen found on the surface of red blood cells, but it is not unique to type B blood. People with Rh antigens are considered "Rh+" regardless of blood type, while those without are considered "Rh-". This statement is not necessarily true for all type B blood individuals.

Option d

As mentioned before, the presence or absence of Rh antigens is separate from the ABO blood group system. So this statement is not necessarily true for all individuals with type B blood.

Option e

Since only option a is correct and not both option a and d, this statement is also not true. So, after examining each option, we can conclude that the correct answer is: a. anti-A antibodies in the plasma.