Question

About ABO blood group antigens, which statement is TRUE?

A. These antigens are oligosaccharides (sugar molecules).
B. The antigens are exclusively localized at the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane.
C. People with O type blood group have the glycosyltransferases that both A-type and B-type people have.
D. The antigens are determined by a small segment of a protein.

Answer 1

ABO blood group antigens are glycoproteins, with the true statement being that these antigens are oligosaccharides (sugar molecules). Type O blood lacks the antigens and the associated glycosyltransferases for A and B antigens.

Step-by-step explanation:

About ABO blood group antigens, the statement that is TRUE is that these antigens are oligosaccharides (sugar molecules). The antigens of the ABO blood group system are glycoproteins, which are molecules composed of protein and carbohydrate components, specifically oligosaccharide chains attached to the protein part. People with different ABO blood types have variation in these antigens: type A has A antigens, type B has B antigens, type AB has both, and type O lacks both antigens. Individuals with type O blood do not have the glycosyltransferases that produce A and B antigens, which is why their red blood cells have neither A nor B antigens. These antigens are located on the exterior surface of red blood cell membranes, not the cytosolic face.