Which option correctly represents the biochemical structure of the H antigen on red blood cells?

Which option correctly represents the biochemical structure of the H antigen on red blood cells?

• A. Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-GalNac
• B. Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-Gal-Fuc
• C. Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-Glu-Fuc
• D. Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-Gal-Glu

Answer: (B)

The correct choice represents the biochemical structure of the H antigen on red blood cells as Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-Gal-Fuc. The H antigen is formed through a specific sequence of sugar residues attached to a lipid backbone, and understanding its composition is crucial in blood banking and transfusion medicine. The structure starts with ceramide (Cer), followed by glucose (Glu), then galactose (Gal), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNac), and finally finishes with an additional galactose (Gal) that is then linked to fucose (Fuc). This terminal fucose residue is particularly important, as it differentiates the H antigen from other blood group antigens like A and B, which have additional sugars added to the structure. In the context of blood typing, the presence or absence of the H antigen and the specific configurations of sugars lead to the classification of blood groups. For instance, individuals with type O blood express only the H antigen as they do not have the enzymes to convert it into A or B antigens. The other options contain incorrect arrangements or components that do not accurately reflect the established structure of the H antigen, where for example, wrong or missing sugar constituents would disqual

The correct choice represents the biochemical structure of the H antigen on red blood cells as Cer-Glu-Gal-GlcNac-Gal-Fuc. The H antigen is formed through a specific sequence of sugar residues attached to a lipid backbone, and understanding its composition is crucial in blood banking and transfusion medicine.

The structure starts with ceramide (Cer), followed by glucose (Glu), then galactose (Gal), N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNac), and finally finishes with an additional galactose (Gal) that is then linked to fucose (Fuc). This terminal fucose residue is particularly important, as it differentiates the H antigen from other blood group antigens like A and B, which have additional sugars added to the structure.

In the context of blood typing, the presence or absence of the H antigen and the specific configurations of sugars lead to the classification of blood groups. For instance, individuals with type O blood express only the H antigen as they do not have the enzymes to convert it into A or B antigens.

The other options contain incorrect arrangements or components that do not accurately reflect the established structure of the H antigen, where for example, wrong or missing sugar constituents would disqual