blood types and functions-iii

Book Abstract by: sunee

Original Author: suneetha

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Blood Type A blood type is a description of an individual's characteristics of red blood

cells due to substances (carbohydrates and proteins) on the cell membrane. The two most important classifications to describe blood types in humans are ABO and the Rhesus factor (Rh factor). There are 46 other known antigens, most of which are much rarer than ABO and Rh. Blood transfusions from incompatible groups can cause an immunological transfusion reaction, resulting in hemolytic anemia, renal failure, shock, and death. The phrases "blood group" and "blood type" are often used interchangeably, although this is not technically correct. "Blood group" is used to refer specifically to a person's ABO status, while "blood type" refers to both ABO and Rh factors. Blood type is determined by the antigens (epitopes) on the surface of a red blood cell. Some of these are proteins, while others are proteins with polysaccharides attached. The absence of some of these markers leads to production of antibodies against this marker. The exact reason why this happens is poorly understood, as generally an antigen needs to be present to elicit an immune response. Administration of the wrong blood type would lead to immediate destruction of the infused blood. The breakdown products cause acute medical illness; hence, it is of vital importance that the correct blood type of the donor and receptor is determined, and their blood properly matched. Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner is widely credited with the discovery of the main blood type system (ABO); he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for his work.

Published: January 25, 2008

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