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
Blood Type
Antigens on RBC
Antibodies in Serum
A A Anti-B
B B Anti-A
AB 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
• 43% O• 42% A• 12% B• 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 A- + B B+ + A and B AB- - Neither
A nor BO
+ 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-BAB
+ 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 aB or AB type Blood Sample
Antiserum Rh is Added to a Rh positive Blood Sample
Name that Blood Type
Name that Blood Type