Blood types
BLOOD TYPES
Blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system. Some of these antigens are also present on the surface of other types of cells of various tissues.
Blood typing is a method to tell what specific type of blood you have. What type you have depends on whether or not there are certain proteins, called antigens, on the surface of your red blood cells and other proteins in your blood, called antibodies.
Blood is often grouped according to the ABO blood typing system. This method breaks blood types down into four types:
1. Type A = AA = AO (has A Antigens protein on red blood cell surface)
2. Type B = BB = BO (has B Antigens protein on red blood cell surface)
3. Type AB = AB (has both A and B Antigens on red blood cell surface)
4. Type O = OO (has no Antigens on red blood cell surface)
One other factor is also looked at when determining your blood type: Rhesus Factor (Rh). Rhesus Factor is an inherited trait that refers to a specific protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has the protein, you are Rh positive (Rh+) — the most common Rh factor - it indicates there are Rh Antigens in your blood. If your blood lacks of protein, you are Rh negative (Rh-) - it indicates there are no Rh Antigens in your blood.
Therefore, there are 8 types of blood in total: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-
Blood typing is a method to tell what specific type of blood you have. What type you have depends on whether or not there are certain proteins, called antigens, on the surface of your red blood cells and other proteins in your blood, called antibodies.
Blood is often grouped according to the ABO blood typing system. This method breaks blood types down into four types:
1. Type A = AA = AO (has A Antigens protein on red blood cell surface)
2. Type B = BB = BO (has B Antigens protein on red blood cell surface)
3. Type AB = AB (has both A and B Antigens on red blood cell surface)
4. Type O = OO (has no Antigens on red blood cell surface)
One other factor is also looked at when determining your blood type: Rhesus Factor (Rh). Rhesus Factor is an inherited trait that refers to a specific protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If your blood has the protein, you are Rh positive (Rh+) — the most common Rh factor - it indicates there are Rh Antigens in your blood. If your blood lacks of protein, you are Rh negative (Rh-) - it indicates there are no Rh Antigens in your blood.
Therefore, there are 8 types of blood in total: A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-
Antibodies are the substances flowing around in the plasma to protect the body from bacteria.
- Blood type A has B Antibodies.
- Blood type B has A Antibodies.
- Blood type AB has no Antibodies.
- Blood type O has both A and B Antibodies.
Blood transfusion: A blood transfusion is the transfer of blood or blood components from one person to another. Whole blood transfusions are rare and only occur in particular circumstances. Most transfusions are of red cells or other components such as plasma or platelets. If the blood transfusion is done incorrectly, all of the blood in the body of the recipient will be agglutinated. In fact, O negative blood can be given to anybody if necessary. It means that if you are in an emergency and you immediately need blood transfusion, they do not have enough time to test your blood and O negative blood will be used to transfer. Rh+ is able to receive Rh+ or Rh- either. Rh- is only able to receive Rh-.
Steps of how to test your blood:
- A blood sample is needed and will be drawn from a vein.
- Your blood sample is mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood, and the sample is checked to see whether or not the blood cells stick together (agglutinate). If blood cells stick together, it means the blood reacted with one of the antibodies.
- The second step is called back typing. The liquid part of your blood without cells is mixed with blood that is known to be type A and type B. Persons with type A blood have anti-B antibodies, and those with type B blood have anti-A antibodies. Type O blood contains both types of antibodies. These two steps can accurately determine your blood type.
Interesting Facts about Blood Types: There is a link between your blood type and your personality. Your Blood Type determines your personality characteristic.