Blood group

Blood group refers to the 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. Some of these antigens are also present on the surface of other types of cells of various tissues. Several of these red blood cell surface antigens can stem from one allele (or an alternative version of a gene) and collectively form a blood group system.

Blood Group Systems

The two most important ones are ABO and the Rh blood group systems. Others include the Lewis, Kell, and MNS systems.

ABO Blood Group System

The ABO blood group system is the most important blood type system (or blood group system) in human blood transfusion. The associated anti-A and anti-B antibodies are usually IgM antibodies, which are usually produced in the first years of life by sensitization to environmental substances such as food, bacteria, and viruses.

Rh Blood Group System

The Rh blood group system (Rh meaning Rhesus) is the second most significant blood-group system in human-blood transfusion with currently 50 antigens. The most significant Rh antigen is the D antigen, because it is the most likely to provoke an immune system response of the five main Rh antigens. It is common for D-negative individuals not to have any anti-D IgG or IgM antibodies, because anti-D antibodies are not usually produced by sensitization against environmental substances.

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is generally the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood.

Blood Group and Disease

Certain blood types may affect vulnerability to diseases, including heart disease, stress, cancer, and infectious diseases such as norovirus, malaria and HIV.

See Also

• Blood type (non-human)
• Blood donation
• Blood test
• Blood plasma
• Blood bank