Question

What are the different blood groups in human beings?What is the basis of grouping them?

Answer 1

Blood groups:

1. Karl Landsteiner reported first time ABO blood groups in human beings.
2. A, В and О blood groups were discovered by Landsteiner (1900).
3. AB group was found out by de Castello and Steini (1902).
4. The different blood groups in human beings are A,B,AB,O.

Basis of blood groups:

1. The surface of red blood cells have antigens which are made up of inherited proteins.
2. Based on the antigens human blood is grouped into the following types.
3. Blood group A, blood group B, blood group AB ,blood group O.

Blood group A:

1. People with blood group A have the A antigen on the surface of their RBCs,
2. Antibodies to antigen В in their plasma.

Blood group B:

1. People with blood group B have the B antigen on the surface of their RBC.
2. Antibodies to antigen A in their plasma.

Blood group AB:

1. People with AB blood group have both antigen A and antigen В on their RBC.
2. No antibodies for either of the antigens in their plasma.
3. Blood group AB is known as universal recipient.

Blood group O:

1. People with O blood group are without A and В antigens on their RBC.
2. But have antibodies for both these antigens in heir plasma.
3. Blood group O is known as universal donor.

Rh (Rhesus) Blood Group:

1. A protein named as rhesus antigen, is present on the surface of red blood corpuscles in many persons.
2. It was discovered in 1940 by Landsteiner and Wiener in the blood of Rhesus monkey, hence its name.
3. If the RBC contains rhesus antigen the blood group is called Rh positive (Rh+).
4. If the RBC do not contain rhesus antigen the blood group is called Rh negative (Rh-).