Human Blood GroupsHuman Blood GroupsThe ABO SystemThe ABO System

Human BloodHuman Blood All humans have the same basic parts All humans have the same basic parts

to their blood and this includes RBC, to their blood and this includes RBC, WBC, platelets and plasma.WBC, platelets and plasma.

However, we also have different However, we also have different chemicals within our blood that makes chemicals within our blood that makes it very different from the blood of it very different from the blood of others.others.

One such chemical is a protein known One such chemical is a protein known as an as an antigenantigen..

Blood AntigensBlood Antigens Antigens can be found Antigens can be found

on the surface of red on the surface of red blood cells.blood cells.

An antigen stimulates An antigen stimulates an antibody response an antibody response by the body because it by the body because it is recognized as foreign. is recognized as foreign.

Human blood contains Human blood contains two basic kinds of two basic kinds of antigens known as antigens known as antigen A and antigen antigen A and antigen B. B.

Human Blood GroupsHuman Blood Groups There are 4 types of There are 4 types of

human blood and they human blood and they are determined by the are determined by the antigen on the surface antigen on the surface of the RBC.of the RBC.

An A antigen means you An A antigen means you have type A. have type A.

A B antigen means you A B antigen means you have type B.have type B.

Both A and B antigens Both A and B antigens mean you have type AB.mean you have type AB.

If there are no antigens If there are no antigens present you have type present you have type O.O.

AntibodiesAntibodies Human blood also Human blood also

contains another contains another chemical known as chemical known as antibodiesantibodies..

Antibodies are Antibodies are found in the found in the plasma and they plasma and they are produced in are produced in response to a response to a foreign antigen.foreign antigen.

Antibody ResponseAntibody Response Antibodies in our plasma will react to a Antibodies in our plasma will react to a

foreign antigen and the blood will clot in a foreign antigen and the blood will clot in a process called process called agglutinationagglutination..

When agglutination occurs the red blood When agglutination occurs the red blood cells clump together and cannot flow cells clump together and cannot flow through the blood vessels and the person through the blood vessels and the person may die.may die.

This can occur if someone has been in an This can occur if someone has been in an accident and they have lost a lot of blood accident and they have lost a lot of blood and need a transfusion. It is important and need a transfusion. It is important that people receive the right blood type.that people receive the right blood type.

Blood Typing Chart

Blood Type

Antigen Antibody Receive from

Donate to

Blood Typing Chart

Blood Type

Antigen Antibody Receive from

Donate to

A A Anti – B A, O A, AB

B B Anti – A B, O B, AB

AB A, B None A, B, AB, O

AB

O None Anti –AAnti – B

O A, B, AB, O

Frequency of Blood TypesFrequency of Blood Types Most people have Most people have

either Type A or either Type A or Type O blood.Type O blood.

Scientists estimate Scientists estimate about 85% of people about 85% of people have one of these have one of these two types which two types which means only 15% means only 15% would have either would have either type B or type AB.type B or type AB.

Positive or Negative?Positive or Negative? There is another protein There is another protein

in our blood known as in our blood known as the Rh factor. the Rh factor.

If you carry the Rh If you carry the Rh factor you are Rh factor you are Rh positive and if you do positive and if you do not you are considered not you are considered Rh negative.Rh negative.

This means along with This means along with your blood type you are your blood type you are also positive or also positive or negative. Most of the negative. Most of the population is positive.population is positive.

Rh factor and PregnancyRh factor and Pregnancy Other than during a Other than during a

blood transfusion, blood transfusion, the other time the the other time the Rh factor can be a Rh factor can be a problem is during problem is during pregnancy.pregnancy.

It is only an issue if It is only an issue if the Mom is Rh the Mom is Rh negative and she negative and she becomes pregnant becomes pregnant with an Rh positive with an Rh positive baby.baby.

Rh IncompatibilityRh Incompatibility The mother’s body can The mother’s body can

recognize the Rh recognize the Rh positive factor in the positive factor in the baby’s blood as foreign baby’s blood as foreign and it can stimulate an and it can stimulate an antibody response in the antibody response in the mother.mother.

This does not normally This does not normally happen in the first happen in the first pregnancy because pregnancy because mother and baby’s mother and baby’s blood do not normally blood do not normally mix until delivery. It will mix until delivery. It will however be an issue for however be an issue for a second pregnancy.a second pregnancy.

Donating BloodDonating Blood Donating blood can Donating blood can

save a life, literally!save a life, literally! When you are 17 When you are 17

years of age you years of age you can begin donating. can begin donating.

There is a There is a minimum of 56 minimum of 56 days in between days in between donor sessions.donor sessions.

Are you ready to transfuse?Are you ready to transfuse? Let’s see how much you learned Let’s see how much you learned

today about blood types and blood today about blood types and blood transfusions!transfusions!

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