(A) There are more than $30$ known $RBC$ antigens found in human beings,which classify the blood corpuscles of a particular person into different blood groups.
Among these,the two major types of blood groups are $ABO$ and $Rh$.
$ABO$ grouping is based on the presence or absence of two surface antigens (chemicals that can induce an immune response) on the $RBCs$,namely $A$ and $B$.
Similarly,the plasma of different individuals contains two natural antibodies. These are opposite to the antigens and are called anti-$A$ and anti-$B$.
Based on the presence of these antigens and antibodies,four blood groups,namely $A, B, AB,$ and $O$,are found in human beings.
The donor's compatibility is based on the antigens on the $RBCs$ and antibodies in the plasma,as shown in the table below:
| Blood Group | Antigens on $RBCs$ | Antibodies in Plasma | Donor's Group |
| $A$ | $A$ | anti-$B$ | $A, O$ |
| $B$ | $B$ | anti-$A$ | $B, O$ |
| $AB$ | $A, B$ | nil | $AB, A, B, O$ |
| $O$ | nil | anti-$A, B$ | $O$ |
During blood transfusion,any blood cannot be used; the blood of a donor must be carefully matched with the blood of a recipient.
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.