1. Anatomy & Physiology/Cardiovascular System
Blood Groups
Anatomy & Physiology/Cardiovascular System

2. Vocabulary
Antigen (agglutinogens) = genetically determined proteins that mark each person’s blood in a unique way.
If an antigen other than your own enters your body, the body recognizes it as foreign and triggers the immune system to release antibodies against it.

3. vocabulary
Antibodies (agglutinins) = proteins contained in the blood plasma which identify foreign antigens and alert the immune system.
Once identified, antibodies bind to the foreign blood cells and cause them to clump, a process called agglutination.

4. Blood transfusion
When blood vessels are broken, blood loss can lead to weakness, shock and eventually death.
Loss of over 30% of a person’s total blood volume can be fatal unless treated with a whole blood transfusion.
Whole blood transfusion is also used to treat chronic health conditions such as anemia or thrombocytopenia.
When giving a blood transfusion, it is essential to test the blood groups of both the donor and recipient.

5. human Blood groups
There are over 30 common antigens found on human red blood cells.
However, the antigens of the ABO and Rh blood groups cause the most severe transfusion reactions.

6. ABO Blood Group
The ABO blood group is based on two antigens: Antigen A and Antigen B.
Type A Blood = Presence of antigen A
Type B Blood = Presence of antigen B
Type AB Blood = Presence of antigens A and B
Type O Blood = Neither antigen A or B
These antigens are genetically determined.
Antibodies are formed during infancy to protect the body against antigens NOT present in your own blood.

7. ABO blood group

8. ABO blood group
During a blood transfusion, only certain types of donor blood will be successfully transplanted in a recipient.
For example: a recipient with type A blood can only receive a transfusion of type A OR type O blood. If given type B blood, the anti-B antibodies in the recipient’s plasma will attack the A antigens causing agglutination.
Agglutination causes blood cells to rupture, releasing hemoglobin into the blood stream which often blocks kidney tubules and results in kidney failure.

9. Abo blood group
Universal Donor: Since Type O blood does not contain any antigens, anyone can receive this blood.
Universal Recipient: Since Type AB blood does not contain any antibodies, it can receive any type of transfusion.

10. Rh blood group
Called Rh because one of the eight Rh antigens was originally identified in Rhesus monkeys.
Rh+ = blood cells contain Rh antigens
Rh- = blood cells do not contain Rh antigens, plasma has the potential to create anti-Rh antibodies.
If an Rh- recipient receives an Rh+ blood transfusion, shortly after the transfusion the immune system begins making anti-Rh antibodies.
A second transfusion of Rh+ blood will result in agglutination.

11. Rh blood and pregnancy
Serious medical conditions can result if Rh- women become pregnant with Rh+ babies.
The first pregnancy usually results in a healthy baby; however, during this time the baby’s Rh+ antigens move through the placenta and trigger the mother’s immune system to produce anti-Rh antibodies.
If the mother has a second pregnancy with an Rh+ baby, the mother’s anti-Rh antibodies will attack and destroy the baby’s blood cells, resulting in brain damage and possibly death.

12. Rh blood and pregnancy
If detected during the first pregnancy, the mother can be treated with a medicine called RhoGAM, which will suppress her immune response.