BLOOD TYPING ABO System

What’s Your Type? There are 4 types based on the presence or absence of proteins called “ANTIGENS” The 4 types are: A, B, AB, and O You inherited your type from your parents

The 4 Types Type A- contains protein/antigen A Type B- contains protein/antigen B Type AB- contains both proteins/ antigens A and B Type O- lacks both proteins/antigens

The Genetics Type A = I A I A or I A i Type B = I B I B or I B i Type AB = I A I B Type O = ii

More Genetics So if mom is I A i…….and dad is I B i……. What are the possible blood types of their children? We can answer this using a Punnett Square

Still Genetics Parents IBIB i IAIA I A I B I A i iI B ii So we can see that: 25% Chance of AB 25% Chance of A 25% Chance of B 25% Chance of O

Final Words on the Genetics So your blood type is determined based on the combination of genes inherited by you from your parents

Blood Transfusions Different types of blood cannot be mixed Mixing blood types causes a clumping of blood which in turn clogs your arteries (NOT A GOOD THING!!!)

Blood Transfusions cont….. Clumping is caused by an immune defense to protect you against foreign substances If you are Type A, you have b antibodies If you are Type B, you have a antibodies

Blood Transfusions cont….. AB lacks antibodies a and b and is considered a “universal recipient” in theory Clumping can still occur and must be transfused slowly

Blood Transfusions cont….. Type O lacks antigens a and b and is considered a “universal donor” in theory Clumping my still occur and must be transfused slowly as well Bottom line- always transfuse matching blood when at all possible

Determining Blood Type EASY!!!!! By combining antibodies (ie. Anti- sera) to blood you can determine someones blood type by observing the clumping Blood TypeAnti-a seraAnti-b sera Aclumpingno clumping B clumping ABclumping Ono clumping

Red Blood Cells Antigens –are identifying proteins on the surface of RBCs –they give us blood typing characteristics

Blood Group Systems Over 15 blood group systems. Based on inherited traits. ABO system –best known –discovered by Karl Landsteiner

Blood Group Systems Agglutination –when red blood cells stick together or “clump” –caused by cross linking of antibodies to antigens –used to test for blood type