Question

Rh factor was discovered by
A. Landsteiner and Weiner
B. William Harvey
C. Malpighi
D. None of these

Answer 1

Rh factor is another type of blood group system apart from ABO blood group system. This protein is present on the areas which are external to red blood cells.

Complete answer:
Rh factor is an abbreviation of Rhesus factor as it was first found in Rhesus monkeys. It was discovered by Landsteiner and Weiner in 1937.
That’s why ‘option A’ is correct.
William Harvey was an English physician and was the first to describe the complete circulation of blood in the human body.
That’s why ‘option B’ is incorrect.
Malpighi was an Italian biologist and physician. He was the first to discover the link between arteries and veins. He was also one of the first people to see red blood cells under microscope after Jan Swammerdam. He also discovered many features of the excretory system such as Malpighian capsules.
That’s why ‘option C is incorrect.

Additional information:
Rh factor is a type of antigen present on the surface of the red blood cells. They were first found in Rhesus monkeys. The individuals having Rh antigen are called Rh positive whereas those in whom this antigen is absent are called Rh negative. Nearly 80% of the human population are Rh positive. A special case of Rh incompatibility observed between Rh negative blood of pregnant women with Rh positive blood of foetus known as erythroblastosis. It can be avoided by administering anti-Rh antibodies to the mother immediately after the delivery of the first child.

Note: Apart from ABO blood group system, another type of blood group exists which is known as Rh factor. It was first discovered in Rhesus monkeys. It was discovered by Landsteiner and Weiner in 1937.