1.26. Blood Types http://www.ck12.org
Blood Donors
Recall that people with type O blood do not have any antigens on their RBCs. As a result, type O blood can be given
to people with blood types A, B, or AB. If there are no antigens on the RBCs, there cannot be an antibody reaction
in the blood. People with type O blood are often calleduniversal donors.
The blood plasma of AB blood does not contain any anti-A or anti-B antibodies. People with type AB blood can
receive any ABO blood type. People with type AB blood are calleduniversal recipientsbecause they can receive
any blood type. The antigens and antibodies that define blood type are listed as follows (Table1.4).
TABLE1.4:Blood Types, Antigens, and Antibodies
Blood type Antigen type Plasma antibodies Can receive blood
from typesCan donate blood
to types
A A anti-B A,O A, AB
B B anti-A B,O B, AB
AB A and B none AB, A, B, O AB
O none anti-A, anti-B O AB, A, B, OVocabulary
- blood transfusion: Process of putting blood or blood products from one person into the circulatory system of
another person. - Rhesus factor: Aspect of blood type that tells whether or not a person has the Rh antigen on the surface of
their red blood cells. - universal donors: People with type O blood; they do not have any antigens on their red blood cells and,
therefore, can donate blood to people with any blood type. - universal recipients: People with type AB positive blood; they do not make any anti-A or anti-B antibodies
and, therefore, can receive any blood type.
Summary
- Blood type, which can be A, B, AB, or O, is a way to describe the type of proteins on the surface of red blood
cells. - Another important aspect of blood type is the Rhesus (Rh) factor; a person either has, or does not have, the
Rh antigen on the surface of his/her red blood cells.
Practice
Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.
- Understanding Blood Typesat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_-9_CF02qI (2:12)
MEDIA
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