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Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System
Tortora - Microbiology: An Introduction 14th Edition
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksTortora 14th EditionCh. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune SystemProblem 6
Chapter 19, Problem 6

Which antibodies will be found naturally in the serum of a person with blood type A, Rh⁺?
a. Anti A, anti B, anti Rh
b. Anti A, anti Rh
c. Anti A
d. Anti B, anti Rh
e. Anti B

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the blood type notation. Blood type A means the person has A antigens on the surface of their red blood cells. Rh⁺ means the person has the Rh (D) antigen present.
Step 2: Recall that naturally occurring antibodies in the serum are directed against antigens that the person does NOT have on their red blood cells. Since this person has A antigens, they will NOT have anti-A antibodies.
Step 3: Since the person has A antigens, they will naturally produce anti-B antibodies, because B antigens are foreign to them.
Step 4: For the Rh factor, a person who is Rh⁺ has the Rh antigen, so they will NOT have anti-Rh antibodies naturally. Anti-Rh antibodies develop only after exposure to Rh-positive blood if the person is Rh-negative.
Step 5: Combine these facts: the person with blood type A, Rh⁺ will have anti-B antibodies naturally, but no anti-A or anti-Rh antibodies. Therefore, the correct antibodies found naturally in their serum are anti-B only.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

ABO Blood Group System

The ABO system classifies blood types based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens on red blood cells. A person with blood type A has A antigens on their cells and naturally produces anti-B antibodies in their serum to target B antigens.
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Rh Blood Group System

The Rh system is determined by the presence (Rh⁺) or absence (Rh⁻) of the Rh(D) antigen on red blood cells. Individuals who are Rh⁺ do not naturally produce anti-Rh antibodies, while Rh⁻ individuals may develop anti-Rh antibodies after exposure to Rh⁺ blood.
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Natural Antibodies in Blood Serum

Natural antibodies are those produced without prior sensitization, typically targeting antigens absent on an individual's own red blood cells. For example, a person with blood type A naturally has anti-B antibodies, but not anti-A or anti-Rh antibodies if Rh⁺.
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Which of the following is not the cause of a natural immunodeficiency?

a. A recessive gene resulting in lack of a thymus gland

b. A recessive gene resulting in few B cells

c. HIV infection

d. Immunosuppressant drugs

e. All of the above are causes of natural immunodeficiency

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Differentiate the three types of autoimmune diseases. Name an example of each type.

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Textbook Question

Antibodies against HIV are ineffective for all of the following reasons except:

a. The fact that antibodies aren’t made against HIV

b. Transmission by cell–cell fusion

c. Antigenic changes

d. Latency

e. Persistence of virus particles in vacuoles

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Textbook Question

Use the following choices to match the type of hypersensitivity to the example in question given below.

a. Type I hypersensitivity

b. Type II hypersensitivity

c. Type III hypersensitivity

d. Type IV hypersensitivity

e. All of the above

Localized anaphylaxis.

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