Blood typing for ABO compatibility relies on the presence of which antigens on red blood cells?

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ABO compatibility hinges on whether red blood cells display the A or B carbohydrate antigens on their surface. The immune system has antibodies against whichever A or B antigens a person does not possess, so determining compatibility comes down to which of these two antigens are present on donor cells. If donor cells carry an A antigen and the recipient has anti-A antibodies, reaction occurs; if they lack the corresponding antigen, compatibility is preserved. The H antigen is the underlying precursor that allows A and B to be expressed, and rare Bombay individuals lack H and cannot express A or B, causing unusual incompatibilities. The RhD antigen is about Rh compatibility (positive/negative) and is separate from ABO. So the presence of A and B antigens on red blood cells is what ABO compatibility relies on.