Blood: Types and Transfusions Where it comes from and where it can go

Blood Types Discovered by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s 4 Types Blood type established genetically –Receive one allele from each parent –Six possible combinations These genes cause proteins called Agglutinogens to exist on the surface of all RBCs In addition, other proteins called Agglutinins –Circulate in the plasma –Ensure only blood cells of your blood type exist in the body

Why is blood type important? Receiving a blood transfusion Donor’s Agglutinogens must match the receivers If not, Agglutinins will attack –Causing serious, even fatal, complications Two Special Types of Blood O – The universal donor AB – The universal recipient