BLOOD GROUPS & COMPATIBILITY

INTRODUCTION
The difference in human blood is due to the presence or absence of certain protein molecules called antigens & antibodies. The antigens are located on the surface of RBC and antibodies are in the blood plasma. Every individual has two major types of blood groups. The first is called ABO grouping & second type is Rh grouping.

ABO BLOOD GROUPING-
There are four categories namely A group, B group, O group, AB group.

• Blood group A- If you belong to this group, you have antigen A on the surface of your red blood cells & anti-B-antibodies in your blood plasma.
• Blood group B- If you belong to this group, you have antigen B on the surface of your red blood cells & anti-A-antibodies in your blood plasma.
• Blood group AB- If you belong to this group, you have both A & B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells & no anti-A or anti-B antibodies at all in your blood plasma.
• Blood group O- If you belong to this group you have neither A or B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells but you have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies  in your blood plasma.

Rh grouping

Those who have 'D' antigen - Rh positive
Those who don’t have 'D' antigen - Rh negative
Rh is a factor called Rhesus factor that has come to us from Rhesus monkey.

BLOOD GROUP NOTATION

According to above blood grouping system, you can belong to either of the following 8 blood groups.