Final answer:
Individuals with Type O blood are less likely to die from severe malaria due to antibodies in their plasma that can cause the clumping of red blood cells, making it difficult for the malaria parasite to infect and destroy them.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with Type O blood are less likely to die from severe malaria due to the presence of antibodies in their plasma that can attach to antigens on the red blood cells (RBCs) of the malaria parasite.
These antibodies can cause the RBCs to clump together, which makes it more difficult for the malaria parasite to infect and destroy the RBCs.
This clumping can block blood vessels and potentially cause death.
Additionally, individuals with Type O blood do not have the A or B antigens on their RBCs, which are targets for the malaria parasite.
Therefore, the parasite has fewer opportunities to invade and replicate within the RBCs.
It is important to note that having Type O blood does not provide complete immunity to malaria, but it does offer some level of protection compared to individuals with other blood types.