Blood Types

Experiments with blood transfusions,

have been carried out for hundreds of
years.
Mixing blood from two individuals can
lead to blood clumping which can be
fatal.
All human blood is made up of four
major components
1. red blood cells
2. white blood cells
3. Platelets
4. Plasma.

Human blood type is determined

by the red blood cell.
On the surface of the red blood
cell, each person has a unique set
of proteins that we call antigens.
An individual could have A
antigens, B antigens, A and B
antigens, or zero antigens on the
surface of his or her red blood
cells. The same individual could
also have an Rh antigen absent or
present on the surface of his or
her red blood cells.

The body produces antibodies

for all of the antigens that are
not present on ones red blood
cells.
An antibody is a protein used
by the immune system to
identify and tag foreign objects
for destruction.
This is why blood types of the
recipient and the donor must be
taken into consideration in blood
transfusions. If the wrong type of
blood is introduced into
someones system, the
antibodies will identify the

Understanding Your Blood Type

The letter tells

you if you have
A and B
antigens
present on the
red blood cells.
In this case
only A
antigens are
present.

A
A
Antigens

Understanding Your Blood Type

The letter
tells you if
you have A
and B
antigens
present on
the red blood
cells. In this
case only B
antigens are
present.

B
A
B

Understanding Your Blood Type

The letter
tells you if
you have A
and B
antigens
present on
the red blood
cells. In this
case A and B
antigens are
present.

A
B

A Antigens
B Antigens

Understanding Your Blood Type

The letter
tells you if
you have A
and B
antigens
present on
the red blood
cells. In this
case A and B
antigens are
not
present.

Blood Types and their Antigens

Blood Group

Red Blood Cell Antigen

Antibody in Blood

Present
A

Plasma
B antibody

A antibody

AB

A and B

Neither A nor B

Neither A nor B

A and B antibodies

Rh+

Rh present

No Rh antibody

Rh-

Rh absent

Rh antibody

Not all blood groups are compatible with each

other.
Mixing incompatible blood groups leads to blood
clumping or agglutination, which is dangerous
for individuals.
This occurs because the antibodies of the
recipients blood attach to the antigens of the
donor blood.
The red blood cells are
linked together, like bunches
of grapes, by the antibodies.

What can be mixed?

We can mix a blood type with any
other blood that will not have any
antibodies for that type.
Example: We can mix A blood with AB
blood because AB blood does not
have any A antibodies.
Example: We can mix O blood with B
blood because O blood does not have
any antibodies.

What cannot be mixed?

We cannot mix any blood types with
blood that has matching antibodies.
Example: We cannot mix AB blood
with O blood because O blood has A
and B antibodies.
Example: We cannot mix A blood
with B blood because B blood has A
antibodies.