Question

What molecules on the RBC determine the blood groups and how?

Answer 1

Answer

The antigens expressed on the red blood cell determine an individual's blood group. The main two blood groups are called ABO (with blood types A, B, AB, and O) and Rh (with Rh D-positive or Rh D-negative blood types).The functions of many of the blood group antigens are not known, and if they are missing from the red blood cell membrane, there is no ill effect.

The antigens of the ABO blood group are sugars. They are produced by a series of reactions in which enzymes catalyze the transfer of sugar units. A person's DNA determines the type of enzymes they have, and, therefore, the type of sugar antigens that end up on their red blood cells.the antigens of the Rh blood group are proteins. A person's DNA holds the information for producing the protein antigens. The RhD gene encodes the D antigen, which is a large protein on the red blood cell membrane.