The rhesus factor:

[Smooth Operater]

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The rhesus factor:

a. comes in two forms, Rh+ and Rh-
b. is an antigen like marker A and B
c. is an antigen found only in the blood of rhesus monkeys, used to correct human blood defects
d. is a blood incompatibility found in the blood of certain human females, which prove fatal to the new born
e. when present in the blood mother, causes blood-poisoning in the newborn.

I first chose a b/c kaplan mentions a Rh+ fetus would cause a Rh- mom to make anti-Rh+ and kill the subsequent fetus with RH+ blood type.
But the correct answer is B. Why? Thanks!

 

[Leh]

it is another antigen, like A or B...initially, it is not fatal to a fetus if the mother is Rh- and the fetus is Rh +...but she will develop immunity against it for her next fetus...if her next fetus is Rh+ and blood exchange does occur btwn the two...then it is fatal..(erythroblastosis fetalis)...the red blood cells in the placenta will be destroyed by her sensitized anti-bodies.

 

[Smooth Operater]

so, it doesn't come in just Rh+ and Rh+. There are other forms? Thanks for ur help in this thread and other ones

 

[drdoodle]

Actually, I think there's only 1 form of Rh. You either have it or you don't.

If the Rh antigen is present in the blood, the person is considered "Rh+".
If there's no Rh antigen present at all, the person is considered "Rh-".
But there's no actual "Rh-" antigen that exists.

 

[lifeisgood]

Actually, I think there's only 1 form of Rh. You either have it or you don't.

If the Rh antigen is present in the blood, the person is considered "Rh+".
If there's no Rh antigen present at all, the person is considered "Rh-".
But there's no actual "Rh-" antigen that exists.

You are dead on.