Journal Why is it important to know your blood type?

Human Blood Groups

Human Blood Groups Described by dominant & recessive alleles (Rh)& multiple alleles ( ABO )

ABO Determined by a multiple allele system

Antigen molecules which can be recognized by the body’s immune system on the surface of the red blood cell

Antibody A molecule in the human body which fights foreign objects that do not agree or mix with the body

Some blood types are seen as foreign bodies in some humans The antibodies will actually destroy the red blood cells like they are diseases.

If a person with type A blood (which has B antibodies) receives blood from a person with type B blood (which has A antibodies) the antibodies will attack the blood, and the person blood may begin to clump or agglutinate.

Blood type A & B are codominant Blood Type O is recessive

Blood Types & Genotypes Type A Blood IAIA or IAi Type B Blood IBIB or IBi Type AB Blood IAIB Type O Blood ii

Blood Group Antigen Antibody Safe Transfusion From A B A, O B, O AB A & B None A, B, AB, O O

Rh Factor Protein substance present in the red blood cells of most people, capable of producing intense antigenic reactions

Under ordinary circumstances the presence or lack of the Rh factor has no bearing on life or death

It is only when the 2 blood types are mixed in an Rh-negative individual that the difficulty arises; the Rh factor acts as an antigen in the Rh-negative person, causing the production of antibodies