Question

Arrange the following blood group systems in chronological order of their discovery.
A. ABO
B. Rh
C. MNSs
D. MN
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, C, D
• B. A, D, B, C
• C. B, A, D, C
• D. C, B, D, A

Hint:

Remember Karl Landsteiner is the key figure. He discovered ABO first (around 1900), then MN (late 1920s), and then Rh (1940). This covers the basic order of the three most famous systems. MNSs is an expansion of MN, so it must come after MN.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires knowledge of the history of immunology and human genetics, specifically the timeline of the discovery of major human blood group systems.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's establish the discovery year for each blood group system:
- A. ABO: This was the first human blood group system discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901.
- D. MN: This system was discovered next, by Karl Landsteiner and Philip Levine in 1927.
- B. Rh: The Rh blood group system was discovered by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S. Wiener in 1940.
- C. MNSs: The MN system was already known. The discovery of the related S and s antigens, which expanded it into the MNSs system, occurred in 1947 (by Walsh and Montgomery) and 1951 (by Levine et al.). Therefore, the MNSs system as a whole was established after MN and Rh.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Arranging the discoveries in chronological order:
1. ABO (1901) - A
2. MN (1927) - D
3. Rh (1940) - B
4. MNSs (1947 onwards) - C
The correct sequence is A, D, B, C.