Introduction
- Based on the presence and absence of antibodies, the blood is classified into different groups.
- Further, while classification, the presence and absence of the inherited antigenic substances also considered.

- The types of blood groups are inherited and represent contributions from both the father and the mother.
ABO Blood Group System
- In human blood, usually, there are two antigens and antibodies.
- The two antigens are antigen A and antigen B.
- The two antibodies are antibody A and antibody B.
- The antigens are remaining in the red blood cells, whereas the antibodies are found in the serum.
- Based on the antigen property, the blood group of all human beings can be classified as −
- Blood Group A − antigen A and antibody B
- Blood Group B − antigen B and antibody A
- Blood Group AB − antigen A and antigen B and no antibody
- Blood Group O − no antigen, but antigen A as well as antibody B
- Consideration of the ABO system is the most imperative while transfusion of human blood.
- The ABO blood group systems were first discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901.
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Rh Blood Group System
- The Rh system (the meaning of Rh is Rhesus) is another significant blood-group system. It is very important to match Rh system while blood transfusion.
- Rh antigen first studied in Rhesus monkeys; therefore, its name is given Rh factor/system.
- The person who does not have Rh antigen is known as Rh negative (Rh-ve) and the person who has the Rh antigen is known as Rh positive (Rh+ve).
Blood Transfusion
- Based on the above discussed two blood grouping system (i.e. ABO and Rh), the following table illustrates the possibilities of blood transfusion among different blood groups −
| Recipient | Donor | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O- | O+ | A- | A+ | B- | B+ | AB- | AB+ | |
| O- | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| O+ | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| A- | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| A+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | NO |
| B- | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| B+ | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| AB- | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| AB+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
- Based on the blood transfusion table given above the blood group O- is the universal donor, which can give blood to the person of any blood group.
- Secondly, the blood group AB+ is the universal recipient, as it can accept blood from the person of any blood group.
Blood Group