I'm Not Sure You're My Type Quiz | Human Body

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Human beings are generally divided into four main blood types. Three of those are O, A, and B. What is the fourth type?

Answer: AB

The four human blood types, O, A, B and AB, are immunologically distinct and genetically determined erythrocyte antigens. In smaller words (and, overly simplistic), that would be: individual components of each human's immune system travel within their blood serum and characteristics of that serum are inherited.

2. Which human blood type is known as the "universal donor"?

Answer: O-

To say that O- (or, O Neg or Type O Rh D negative) blood is the "universal donor" is a broad generalization (often) said for the purposes of blood transfusion. as well as for good media sound bites. Since O- blood contains the LEAST antibodies it is anticipated that there should be the least chance of an immune reaction between the host and the transfused blood. This however applies to the transfusion of "whole blood" only.

3. Which human blood type is known as the "universal recipient"?

Answer: AB+

To say that AB+ (or, AB Pos or Type AB Rh D positive) blood is the "universal recipient" is a generalization (often) said for the purposes of whole blood transfusion. The blood type AB contains the most or most blended of the antibodies found in all human blood.

Therefore, it would be expected that there should be the least some components of the blood to be transfused to found within the host who is AB+. Thus the chance of an immune reaction between the host and the transfused blood is reduced - but not as low as when matching the host's blood type exactly.

4. When a human blood type is said to be "positive" or "negative" to which component of the blood is this label referring?

Answer: Rh Factor

Referring to the basic ABO types as either "positive" or "negative" means to designate the presence of the Rh factor - an antigen within the blood cell. Rh is an abbreviation of Rhesus. The blood of all humans either has the Rhesus factor or it does not have it - thus it is identified as positive (has) or negative (does not have).

The Rh factor is only one of many antigens (components) of a blood cell.

5. One designation or identifying description of human blood is the Rh factor. From what other name did this Rh factor get its name?

Answer: The Rhesus monkey

Complications with hemolytic transfusion reaction and hemolytic disease of newborns had concerned doctors and scientists for many, many years before the discovery of a blood substance in Rhesus macaques that was very similar to that in human beings. The work of two scientists (initially) with these monkeys developed a serum that could be widely used in humans to offset transfusion reactions and lessen the severity of newborns who were the product of "incompatible" blood typed parents.

6. For a school project, Emily has been asked to learn the blood types of her biological parents. She should be able to determine her own possible blood type(s) with that information. Both of her parents are O-. What are the possibilities for her?

Answer: Only O-

Genetically speaking and very simplistically so, the O- blood type is recessive to all the other seven blood types (O+, A-, A+, B-, B+, AB- and AB+); therefore when two biological parents have only the recessive genes to share with their offspring, that offspring will also type as the recessive or, for this question, O-.

7. What is the component of human blood that causes an immune reaction to a mismatched (type) of blood after a transfusion?

Answer: Antigen

When a person who does not have a particular antigen within their own blood is given blood that does contain that antigen their circulatory/immune system will rapidly make antibodies to the antigen. The results of this type of immune response could run the gamut from a slight feeling of depression, to chills, fever and various aches and pains, all the way to loss of life.

8. In human blood, the ABO Blood Group system is the most important way to type (or, identify) blood for possible transfusion. What other animals are known to have blood that can be typed as ABO?

Answer: Some, including chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas

Although some other animals do have blood that can be classified in the similar ABO Group system - as is the blood of humans - cross species transfusions are not possible although this was a medical practice in the past. Most references cite that the results of this practice were unfortunate.

9. Some human mothers can have an incompatibility with their unborn child. This occurs (most often) when a mother who is O-negative is carrying a child of a positive (blood) type father. What is this disease called?

Answer: Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn

Hemolytic Disease (HDV) occurs when certain maternal antibodies pass through the placenta into the fetal circulation. There they can cause separation of fetal red blood cells which, in turn, can lead to fetal anemia and HDN. This condition is rare in a first pregnancy but it can occur. More likely is the mother who has carried a previous positive fetus will have within her own body's immune system the antibodies she created in defense against the incompatible blood type of the previous pregnancy.

10. In terms of human blood and particularly, transfusions, what are non-blood volume expanders?

Answer: Fluids to replace or replenish blood supply

Many of the concerns about mismatching blood types during transfusions could be alleviated with artificial blood or blood components. Using non-blood volume expanders is a step toward artificial blood to be used for transfusions. It is often composed of water with salts, sugars, and/or proteins added.

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

I'm Not Sure You're My Type Trivia Quiz

Facts and fun-facts about human blood types and blood components.

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