Agglutination in blood typing is best described as

Agglutination in blood typing is best described as

• A. Destruction of red blood cells by antibodies.
• B. Clumping of red blood cells caused by antibodies binding to antigens.
• C. Production of antibodies against antigens.
• D. Migration of blood cells in a gel.

Answer: (B)

Agglutination is the visible clumping of red blood cells caused by antibodies binding to antigens on their surface. In blood typing, antibodies specific for A or B antigens are mixed with the sample. If the red cells carry the corresponding antigen, the antibodies bind and cross-link multiple cells, forming a lattice that appears as clumps. This direct, observable clumping reflects the antibody-antigen interaction at the cell surface. It is not about destruction of cells (hemolysis) or about the body producing antibodies, or about cells moving through a gel.

Agglutination is the visible clumping of red blood cells caused by antibodies binding to antigens on their surface. In blood typing, antibodies specific for A or B antigens are mixed with the sample. If the red cells carry the corresponding antigen, the antibodies bind and cross-link multiple cells, forming a lattice that appears as clumps. This direct, observable clumping reflects the antibody-antigen interaction at the cell surface. It is not about destruction of cells (hemolysis) or about the body producing antibodies, or about cells moving through a gel.