1.

Discuss the composition of the RBC membrane

 50% proteins
 40% lipids
 10% carbohydrates
 The membrane has vertical and horizontal interaction.
o Vertical interaction -stabilizes the lipid bilayer

o Horizontal interaction - supports the structural Integrity of the RBC.

2. Explain the importance of the oligosaccharide sequence in the RBC membrane in blood type
determination
 Blood Type A
o A gene and H gene

 Sugar: N-acetylgalactosamine
 Enzyme: Glycosyltransferase
o A antigens are present on the RBC membrane

o Have antibodies for B antigens (Anti-B)

 Blood Type B
o B gene and H gene

 Sugar: D-galactose
 Enzyme: Glycosyltransferase
o B antigens are present on the RBC membrane

o Have antibodies for A antigens (Anti-A)

 Blood Type AB
o A gene, B gene and H gene

 Sugar: N-acetylgalactosamine and D-galactose

 Enzyme: Glycosyltransferase
o A and B antigens are present on the RBC membrane

o No antibodies against A and B antigens

 Blood Type O
o H gene only

 Enzyme: Fucosyltransferase
o No A and B antigens are present on the RBC membrane
 o Have antibodies against both A and B (Anti-A and Anti-B)

3. Discuss the biochemical basis of blood typing and of blood type determination.
 Oligosaccharides are often found as a component of glycoproteins or glycolipids and are
often used as a chemical markers.
 In ABO specificity, A and B blood types have two different oligosaccharides in their
membranes AB has both, O has neither.
4. Explain the role of genetics in determining the blood type, especially in the oligosaccharide
content of membrane lipoproteins.
 The ABO system is called Multiple allele system for there are more than 2 possible
allele pairs
 The individual’s blood type is determined by which combination of allele a person has.
 The “O” blood type represents an individual who is homozygous recessive and does not
have an allele for A and B.
 Blood type A and B are codominant allele
5. Discuss the biochemical basis of ABO incompatibility.
 A antigen
o Codes for the production of alpha-3-N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, which
transfers a GalNAC sugar to H substance.
o Source: Dolichos biflorus
 B antigen
o Codes for the production of alpha-3-D-galactosyltransferase, which attached D-
galactose (Gal) sugar to the H substance previously placed on the type 2
precursor substance through the action of H gene
o Source: Griffonia (bandeiraea) simplicifolia
 H antigen
o Located on chromosome 19
o Required to produce either A and B antigens
o Source: lectin seed extract known as Ulex europeaus
 Bombay phenotype (Oh)
o H antigen deficiency
o Can donate to any member of the ABO blood group system (unless some other
blood factor gene, such as Rhesus, is incompatible)
o Cannot receive any member of the ABO blood group system's blood
o Negative with Anti‐H lectin.