Blood transfusions

Question 1

Transfusion

Answer 1

The immune system has the capacity to distinguish between body cells (‘self’) and foreign materials (‘non-self’)

It will react to the presence of foreign materials with an immune response that eliminates the intruding material from the body

Question 2

Self and non-Self (Identifying)

Answer 2

Self - A self maker (MHC) labels the body cells as a Friend and are tolerated by the immune system

Non-self - An antigen is a molecule that the immune system recognises as foreign (non-self) and treats as a FOE

Question 3

Antigens and antibodies

Answer 3

Erythrocytes have antigens present on their surface, the antibodies present in their blood plasma depending on blood type.

antibody begin to attack antigens present on the erythrocytes, the blood with agglutinate

Question 4

Consequences of incompatible blood transfusions

Answer 4

Surface antigens + Opposing antigen = Agglutination (clumping) = Hemolysis