Blood group
Blood Group
A Blood Group (pronounced: /blʌd gruːp/) is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood group system.
Etymology
The term "Blood Group" is derived from the English words "blood" and "group". "Blood" comes from the Old English "blod", and "group" comes from the Italian "gruppo", which was first used in this context in the early 20th century.
Types of Blood Groups
There are four main blood groups (types of blood) - A, B, AB, and O. Each group is characterized by a different set of antigen markers found on the surface of the red blood cells. In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent (–).
- Type A: Has A antigens on the red blood cells with anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
- Type B: Has B antigens with anti-A antibodies in the plasma.
- Type AB: Has both A and B antigens, but no antibodies.
- Type O: Has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
Importance of Blood Groups
Knowing your blood group is important for blood transfusions and pregnancy. During a blood transfusion, the donor and recipient must have compatible blood types. If incompatible blood types are mixed, it can lead to a dangerous reaction that affects the immune system.
During pregnancy, the Rh factor can cause problems if the mother is Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive. This is known as Rh incompatibility.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that can induce an immune response.
- Antibody: A protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances.
- Rh Factor: An inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells.
- Blood Transfusion: The process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously.
- Rh Incompatibility: A condition that occurs during pregnancy if a woman has Rh-negative blood and her baby has Rh-positive blood.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood group
- Wikipedia's article - Blood group
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