University revision · Forensic Science

Forensic Serology and Body Fluid Identification

Question 1 of 20 Course: Biomedical Science(Degree)

A presumptive test for blood, such as the Kastle-Meyer test, can conclusively prove the presence of human blood.

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The H gene (FUT1) is absolutely essential for ABO antigen expression. It codes for an enzyme called α-1,2-fucosyltransferase. This enzyme's job is to create the H antigen, which is the universal precursor substrate for both A and B antigens. The enzyme adds a fucose sugar to a specific terminal galactose on precursor glycolipids or glycoproteins on the red cell surface. Without a functional H gene (as in the rare Bombay phenotype), no H antigen is formed. Since the A and B transferase enzymes can only add their sugars (N-acetylgalactosamine or galactose) to the H antigen, no A or B antigens can be produced, regardless of the person's ABO genes. The individual will type as O, but will have potent anti-H in their serum. Therefore, the H gene acts as the necessary first step in the biochemical pathway leading to ABO antigen formation.

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