How do the I and i antigens develop over time?

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Multiple Choice

How do the I and i antigens develop over time?

Your red cell surface carbohydrates undergo a developmental switch after birth. The i antigen is the immature form and is abundant on newborn and cord blood red cells. As a person ages, the i chains are gradually converted to the branched I structures, so the I antigen becomes more prominent in adulthood. In other words, i antigen is well developed at birth, and I antigen becomes well developed in adulthood. This ontogeny explains why newborns often show strong i and relatively little I, while adults show the opposite pattern. The other scenarios don’t fit this age-related shift, which is why this pattern is the best description.

Your red cell surface carbohydrates undergo a developmental switch after birth. The i antigen is the immature form and is abundant on newborn and cord blood red cells. As a person ages, the i chains are gradually converted to the branched I structures, so the I antigen becomes more prominent in adulthood. In other words, i antigen is well developed at birth, and I antigen becomes well developed in adulthood. This ontogeny explains why newborns often show strong i and relatively little I, while adults show the opposite pattern. The other scenarios don’t fit this age-related shift, which is why this pattern is the best description.

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