Blood Type

Blood Type

A blood type (also known as a blood group) is a classification of blood, based on the presence and absence of antibodies and antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system. There are four main blood groups defined by the ABO system: A, B, AB, and O.

ABO System

The ABO system is the most important blood group system in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM antibodies, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food, bacteria, and viruses.

A Blood Group

Blood group A has A antigens on the red cells with anti-B antibodies in the plasma.

B Blood Group

Blood group B has B antigens with anti-A antibodies in the plasma.

AB Blood Group

Blood group AB has both A and B antigens, but no antibodies. AB is the universal recipient for blood transfusions because it can receive all other blood types.

O Blood Group

Blood group O has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. O negative blood can be given to any person of any blood type, but a person with O blood can only receive O blood.

Rh System

The Rh system (Rh meaning Rhesus) is the second most significant blood group system in human blood transfusion with currently 50 antigens. The most significant Rh antigen is the D antigen, because it is the most likely to provoke an immune system response of the five main Rh antigens. It is common for D-negative individuals not to have any anti-D IgG or IgM antibodies, because anti-D antibodies are not usually produced by sensitization against environmental substances.

Blood Typing

Blood typing is a test that determines a person's blood type. The test is essential if you need a blood transfusion or are planning to donate blood. Not all blood types are compatible, so it's important to know your blood type.

See Also

• Blood donation
• Blood transfusion
• Blood diseases
• Blood plasma
• Blood cells

References

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