Blood group
Blood is made up of RBC, WBC, Platelets in liquid called plasma. The blood group is identified by antibodies and antigen in the blood.
Antibodies - antibodies are protein found in plasma. They are part of natural defence in our body.
Antigen - antigen are protein molecules found on the surface of RBC.
Types of blood group
Various types of grouping of blood has been done. Two such grouping are ABO and Rh.
1. The ABO grouping
There are four main blood groups defined by ABO system. Blood group A,B, AB and O.
Relationships between blood types and antibodies
* Blood group 'O' is universal donor because it can be donated to person with any blood group.
* Blood group 'AB' is universal recipients, as person with AB group can accept blood from any other group of blood.
* AB -ve is the rarest blood group.
2. The Rh grouping
RBC sometimes have another antigen, a protein known as Rh antigen. If this antigen is present in blood, the blood is called Rh positive (Rh+ve). If Rh antigen is absent, the blood group is Rh negative (Rh-ve).
On the basis of Rh system blood group is of 8 types.
A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O-, AB+, AB-
* Rh factor is an important characteristic of blood cells. It indicates whether the blood of 2 different people is compatible when mixed or not.
* The Rh antigen poses a danger for the Rh-negative person, who lacks the antigen if Rh-positive blood is given in transfusion.
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