Blood Types A B O Rh Why are

Blood Types A, B, O & Rh

Why are there different blood types? • The differences in human blood are due to the presence or absence of protein molecules called antigens and antibodies. • The antigens are located on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs) and the antibodies are in blood plasma.

Why are blood types important? • Mixing incompatible blood groups leads to blood clumping, or agglutination, which is dangerous. • The AB 0 and Rhesus (Rh) systems are the most important ones used for blood transfusions.

ABO blood grouping system According to the ABO blood typing system there are four different kinds of blood types: A, B, AB or O. All four blood types are based on only two antigens: A and B.

ABO blood grouping system Blood group A A antigens are present on the surface of RBCs and B antibodies are in blood plasma. Blood group B B antigens are present on the surface of RBCs and A antibodies are in blood plasma.

ABO blood grouping system Blood group AB Both A and B antigens are on the surface of RBCs and no A or B antibodies are in blood plasma. Blood group O No A or B antigens are on the surface of RBCs but both A and B antibodies are in blood plasma.

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Blood Transfusions A blood transfusion is a procedure in which blood is given to a patient through an intravenous (IV) line in one of the blood vessels. Blood transfusions are done to replace blood lost during surgery or a serious injury. A transfusion also may be done if a person’s body can't make blood properly because of an illness.

Who can give you blood? Blood Types A B AB O Antigens A B A and B none Antibodies B A none A and B Can donate to: A, AB B, AB AB all Can receive from: A, O B, O all O

People with TYPE O blood are called Universal Donors, because they can give blood to any blood type. People with TYPE AB blood are called Universal Recipients, because they can receive any blood type.

Rh Factor • Positive blood means the Rh antigen is present on RBCs. • Negative blood means there is no Rh antigen. • Rh + blood type can donate to: • Only Rh + • Rh + can receive blood from: • Rh + or Rh • Rh – blood type can donate to: • Rh + or Rh • Rh – can receive blood from: • Only Rh -.

You are NOT born with Rh antibodies!

Transfusion Reactions • Transfusion reactions occur when mismatched blood is infused • Donor’s cells are attacked by the recipient’s plasma agglutinins causing: – Diminished oxygen-carrying capacity – Clumped cells that impede blood flow – Ruptured RBCs that release free hemoglobin into the bloodstream • Circulating hemoglobin precipitates in the kidneys and causes renal failure

Blood Typing When RBC antigens are exposed to the corresponding antibodies, they agglutinate, or clump together. Blood type being tested RBC agglutinogens Serum Reaction Anti-A Anti-B AB A and B + + B B – + A A + – O None – –

What blood type is this? Type A

What blood type is this? Type B

What blood type is this? Type AB

What blood type is this? Type O

How common is your blood type?

Predicting Blood Types