Class 11 · Body Fluids and Circulation

Blood Groups: Universal Donors & Recipients — NEET Biology

✅ Asked in NEET 2021
✅ NEET 2021 PYQ

Persons with 'AB' blood group are called as "Universal recipients". This is due to: (NEET 2021)

QuestionNEET 2021

Persons with 'AB' blood group are called as "Universal recipients". This is due to: (NEET 2021)

Answer & NCERT explanation

Correct answer: B Absence of antibodies, anti-A and anti-B, in plasma

AB blood group individuals have both A and B antigens on RBCs but no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in plasma. This allows them to receive blood from any ABO group without antibody-antigen reaction causing agglutination. They are universal recipients due to antibody absence, not antigen presence.

Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ

📖 NCERT Source

From the above mentioned table it is evident that group 'O' blood can be donated to persons with any other blood group and hence 'O' group individuals are called 'universal donors'. Persons with 'AB' group can accept blood from persons with AB as well as the other groups of blood. Therefore, such persons are called 'universal recipients'.

NCERT Biology · Class 11 · Chapter 15 · Paragraph 12
How NTA Uses This Concept

NTA tests whether students understand why AB blood group individuals are universal recipients while O group individuals are universal donors. The core concept: AB group has both A and B antigens but no anti-A or anti-B antibodies, so their blood won't be rejected by any blood type. Common mistake: Students confuse which group is universal donor vs. recipient—remember O group lacks A and B antigens (can donate to all), while AB group lacks antibodies (can receive from all). Key point: Universal donors lack antigens; universal recipients lack antibodies. This concept appears in transfusion compatibility questions, making it high-priority NEET material.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does NCERT say about From above mentioned table?
From the above mentioned table it is evident that group 'O' blood can be donated to persons with any other blood group and hence 'O' group individuals are called 'universal donors'. Persons with 'AB' group can accept blood from persons with AB as well as the other groups of blood.
Has this concept appeared in NEET?
Yes — appeared in NEET 2021. Explains AB group as universal recipients due to accepting all blood
Which chapter is this from?
Body Fluids and Circulation, Class 11 NCERT Biology.

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