Blood Type (ABO)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Agglutination
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
Blood Group Distribution in the United States 3% AB
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.
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.
Blood Type Distribution in the United States
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.
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.
Antiserum A, B, and Rh are Added to a Blood Sample No agglutination is occurring.
Antiserum A is Added to an A or AB type Blood Sample
Antiserum B is Added to a B or AB type Blood Sample
Antiserum Rh is Added to a Rh positive Blood Sample
Name that Blood Type
Name that Blood Type