1. Blood Type (ABO)

2. The Function of Antibodies
Our bodies make antibodies to protect us from “foreign” molecular species.
Persons with A-antigens produce B-antibodies (Anti-B) but not A-antibodies (Anti-A) since A-antigens are natural in their system.

3. The Function of Antibodies
Likewise, persons with B-antigens produce A-antibodies (Anti-A) but not B-antibodies (Anti-B) since B-antigens are natural in their system.

4. The Function of Antibodies
Persons with A-antigens and B-antigens do not produce A-antibodies (Anti-A) nor B-antibodies (Anti-B) since both occur naturally in their system.

5. Agglutination
The clumping process that takes place when RBCs containing a particular antigen (A or B) are mixed with serum containing the antibody specific for that antigen.
The serum containing the antibody is called antiserum.

6. Agglutination

7. Blood Types and Serum Antibodies
Antigens on RBC
Antibodies in Serum A
Anti-B B
Anti-A AB
Neither anti-A or anti-B O
Neither A nor B
Both anti-A and anti-B

8. Blood Group Distribution in the United States
3% AB

9. Other RBC Antigens There are more than 15 known RBC antigens systems.
The A-B-O system is commonly used in blood typing.
The Rh system is also used for blood types.

10. The Rh System Based on the Rh factor or D antigen.
A person whose RBCs have the D antigen is said to be Rh positive.
Likewise, a person whose RBCs do not have the D antigen is said to be Rh negative.

11. Blood Type Distribution in the United States

12. Identification of Blood with Known Antiserum
Anti-A Serum + Whole Blood
Anti-B Serum + Whole Blood
Antigen Present
Blood Type + - A B
A and B AB
Neither A nor B O
+ shows agglutination; - shows absence of agglutination.

13. Identification of Blood with Known Cells
A Cells + Blood
B Cells + Blood
Antibody Present
Blood Type + -
Anti-A B
Anti-B A
Anti-A and Anti-B O
Neither Anti-A nor Anti-B AB
+ shows agglutination; - shows absence of agglutination.

14. Antiserum A, B, and Rh are Added to a Blood Sample
No agglutination is occurring.

15. Antiserum A is Added to an A or AB type Blood Sample

16. Antiserum B is Added to a B or AB type Blood Sample

17. Antiserum Rh is Added to a Rh positive Blood Sample

18. Name that Blood Type

19. Name that Blood Type