Final answer:
The recipient of a blood transfusion does not need to have all the donor's antigens. Matching blood types is crucial to avoid a life-threatening immune reaction. Type O blood is a universal donor, and AB is a universal recipient, but compatibility is key for safe transfusions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When receiving a blood transfusion, it is not necessary for the recipient to have all the antigens of the donor. Instead, it's crucial to ensure that recipient and donor blood types are compatible. This is because antigens are substances that the body does not recognize as its own, which can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the recipient's system.
For instance, type O blood is often called the 'universal donor' because it lacks A and B antigens, thus minimizing the chances of triggering a recipient's immune system. Conversely, people with type AB blood are known as 'universal recipients' because they can accept A, B, AB, or O blood without suffering an immune response against the A or B antigens.
Matching blood types is critical; type A has A antigens, type B has B antigens, and AB has both. Without a correct match, transfused blood may cause a potentially life-threatening reaction in the recipient's body. In emergencies where there's no time for crossmatching, O negative blood might be used, keeping in mind that Rh factor and the presence of other potential antibodies can still pose risks.