Different Blood Types and What They Represent
Every human being on the planet has a different blood type. Blood types are determined by a person’s genetics. The different structures of a human body also determine the amount of blood the person has.
Blood types are categorized through the ABO system, the best-known method to divide blood groups. It’s important to categorize blood groups because successful transfusions require blood-specificity in many cases.
Giving the wrong blood type can lead to adverse effects and even fatalities as the immune system react negatively to the new blood. Let’s take a deeper look at blood types and why they matter.
Contents Of A Blood Type
The composition of blood is made of several elements, i.e., red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Each of these components has different functions, and the number of antigens on the surface of the red blood cells determines the blood group type.
Antigens are molecules made of proteins and sugar, the type and amount of which vary according to genetics. They have different functions, such as transporting molecules in and out of the cell system, sustaining the shape of the red blood cells, and getting rid of unwanted cells that could cause an infection in the body.
Antigens need to match the blood type for a transfusion, otherwise, the body will reject it. The body will reject them and attack the new red blood cells. This can cause serious illnesses and be life-threatening as well.
Different Blood Groups
There are four ABO groups:
Group A
People with blood group A have antigen A in their red blood cells, while the plasma has an antibody B. If the antigen was B, the blood cells would turn against each other, attacking the antigen B.
Group B
The surface of this blood type is covered by antigen B while the antibody is A. Therefore, an antibody A would attack antigen A; a combination of B and A is ideal.
Group AB
This group contains both A and B antigens, but the plasma (antibody) is strictly anti-A and anti-B. Therefore, people with blood group AB can receive blood from group O without disastrous effects.
Group O
The plasma contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies; similarly, the surface of t heed blood cells, i.e., antigen, does not have A or B components. Since there are no A and B elements present in antigen and antibodies, this blood group can have a blood transfusion from any ABO blood group.
Influence Of The Rhesus Factor
The Rhesus factor (Rh) is an inherited protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If the blood has a lot of protein, it means it is Rh-positive.
For blood transfusions, it is very important to know the blood group of the patient and the donor; otherwise, it could be life-threatening. This can be done through the convenience of mobile blood labs services which are also affordable. Phlebotomy On Wheels is the number one home blood draw services provider operating in Connecticut. Give us a call today to find out more about our services.