Final answer:
The ABO blood groups have played a role in human resistance to transfusion reactions and deaths. Matching patient-donor blood types is crucial to prevent these reactions. Type O negative blood is the universal donor, while Type AB positive blood is the universal acceptor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ABO blood groups have figured in human resistance to transfusion reactions and deaths during blood transfusions. Blood transfusions were risky procedures until the discovery of major human blood groups by Karl Landsteiner in 1900. The ABO blood group system determines compatibility between donor and recipient blood types, preventing transfusion reactions and deaths.
There are four common blood types in the ABO system: Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O. Type A has antigen A on the red blood cells, Type B has antigen B, Type AB has both antigens, and Type O has neither antigen. Antibodies in the blood plasma of each blood type react with opposing antigens, causing clumping in incompatible blood types.
It is important to match patient-donor blood types to prevent transfusion reactions. Type O negative blood is the universal donor, while Type AB positive blood is the universal acceptor.