1. Human Blood Groups The ABO System

2. Human Blood All humans have the same basic parts to their blood and this includes RBC, WBC, platelets and plasma. All humans have the same basic parts to their blood and this includes RBC, WBC, platelets and plasma. However, we also have different chemicals within our blood that makes it very different from the blood of others. However, we also have different chemicals within our blood that makes it very different from the blood of others. One such chemical is a protein known as an antigen. One such chemical is a protein known as an antigen.

3. Blood Antigens Antigens can be found on the surface of red blood cells. Antigens can be found on the surface of red blood cells. An antigen stimulates an antibody response by the body because it is recognized as foreign. An antigen stimulates an antibody response by the body because it is recognized as foreign. Human blood contains two basic kinds of antigens known as antigen A and antigen B. Human blood contains two basic kinds of antigens known as antigen A and antigen B.

4. Human Blood Groups There are 4 types of human blood and they are determined by the antigen on the surface of the RBC. There are 4 types of human blood and they are determined by the antigen on the surface of the RBC. An A antigen means you have type A. An A antigen means you have type A. A B antigen means you have type B. A B antigen means you have type B. Both A and B antigens mean you have type AB. Both A and B antigens mean you have type AB. If there are no antigens present you have type O. If there are no antigens present you have type O.

5. Antibodies Human blood also contains another chemical known as antibodies. Human blood also contains another chemical known as antibodies. Antibodies are found in the plasma and they are produced in response to a foreign antigen. Antibodies are found in the plasma and they are produced in response to a foreign antigen.

6. Antibody Response Antibodies in our plasma will react to a foreign antigen and the blood will clot in a process called agglutination. Antibodies in our plasma will react to a foreign antigen and the blood will clot in a process called agglutination. When agglutination occurs the red blood cells clump together and cannot flow through the blood vessels and the person may die. When agglutination occurs the red blood cells clump together and cannot flow through the blood vessels and the person may die. This can occur if someone has been in an accident and they have lost a lot of blood and need a transfusion. It is important that people receive the right blood type. This can occur if someone has been in an accident and they have lost a lot of blood and need a transfusion. It is important that people receive the right blood type.

7. Blood Typing Chart Blood Type AntigenAntibodyReceive from Donate to

8. Blood Typing Chart Blood Type AntigenAntibodyReceive from Donate to AAAnti – BA, OA, AB BBAnti – AB, OB, AB ABA, BNoneA, B, AB, O AB ONoneAnti –A Anti – B OA, B, AB, O

9. Frequency of Blood Types Most people have either Type A or Type O blood. Most people have either Type A or Type O blood. Scientists estimate about 85% of people have one of these two types which means only 15% would have either type B or type AB. Scientists estimate about 85% of people have one of these two types which means only 15% would have either type B or type AB.

10. Positive or Negative? There is another protein in our blood known as the Rh factor. There is another protein in our blood known as the Rh factor. If you carry the Rh factor you are Rh positive and if you do not you are considered Rh negative. If you carry the Rh factor you are Rh positive and if you do not you are considered Rh negative. This means along with your blood type you are also positive or negative. Most of the population is positive. This means along with your blood type you are also positive or negative. Most of the population is positive.

11. Rh factor and Pregnancy Other than during a blood transfusion, the other time the Rh factor can be a problem is during pregnancy. Other than during a blood transfusion, the other time the Rh factor can be a problem is during pregnancy. It is only an issue if the Mom is Rh negative and she becomes pregnant with an Rh positive baby. It is only an issue if the Mom is Rh negative and she becomes pregnant with an Rh positive baby.

12. Rh Incompatibility The mother’s body can recognize the Rh positive factor in the baby’s blood as foreign and it can stimulate an antibody response in the mother. The mother’s body can recognize the Rh positive factor in the baby’s blood as foreign and it can stimulate an antibody response in the mother. This does not normally happen in the first pregnancy because mother and baby’s blood do not normally mix until delivery. It will however be an issue for a second pregnancy. This does not normally happen in the first pregnancy because mother and baby’s blood do not normally mix until delivery. It will however be an issue for a second pregnancy.

13. Donating Blood Donating blood can save a life, literally! Donating blood can save a life, literally! When you are 17 years of age you can begin donating. When you are 17 years of age you can begin donating. There is a minimum of 56 days in between donor sessions. There is a minimum of 56 days in between donor sessions.

14. Are you ready to transfuse? Let’s see how much you learned today about blood types and blood transfusions! Let’s see how much you learned today about blood types and blood transfusions! http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/ medicine/landsteiner/index.html http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/ medicine/landsteiner/index.html http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/ medicine/landsteiner/index.html http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/ medicine/landsteiner/index.html