Final answer:
The Rh factor is a genetic characteristic depicting the presence of a specific antigen on red blood cells, and incompatibility between Rh+ and Rh- blood during transfusions can lead to serious complications. It follows a Mendelian inheritance pattern, and an Rh- mother with an Rh+ baby may experience hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Rh factor, part of the Rhesus blood group system, is a genetic characteristic determining the presence or absence of a specific protein, the Rh antigen, on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). Individuals with the antigen are referred to as Rh positive (Rh+), while those without it are Rh negative (Rh-). In the setting of blood transfusions, the incompatibility between Rh+ and Rh- blood can trigger an immune response in an Rh- recipient, leading to the destruction of the transfused Rh+ RBCs, which can have dangerous consequences.
The Rh factor is inherited in a Mendelian pattern, where the Rh+ allele is dominant. Regarding hemolytic disease of the newborn, this condition occurs when an Rh- mother carrying an Rh+ fetus develops antibodies against the fetal RBCs, potentially leading to fetal anemia. In a couple where the woman is O Rh- and the man is AB Rh+, their offspring could inherit the Rh+ factor from the father, requiring careful monitoring during pregnancy.