Person with blood group AB is considered as universal recipient

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Person with blood group AB is considered as universal recipient because he has:

1. both A and B antigens on RBC but no antibodies in the plasma.
2. both A and B antibodies in the plasma.
3. no antigen on RBC and no antibody in the plasma.
4. both A and B antigens in the plasma but no antibodies.

Correct Option: A

Karl Landsteiner first reported ABO blood groups in human beings. A, B and O blood groups were discovered by Landsteiner in 1900 while AB blood group was found out by de Castello and Steini (1902). ABO blood groups are determined by the gene I (isoagglutinin). There are three alleles. I^A, I^B and I^O of this gene. Proteins produced by the I^A and I^B alleles are called A antigen and B antigen. Individuals with AB blood group have both antigen A and antigen B on their RBCs, and no antibodies for either of the antigens in their plasma.