Blood Typing

Type B blood

A person with a B marker has type B blood. Type B blood produces anti-A antibodies that will attack type A blood.

Type A blood

A person with an A marker has type A blood. Type A blood produces anti-B antibodies that will attack type B blood.

Type AB blood

A person with both A and B markers have type AB blood. This blood type has no antibodies, therefore this blood type will not attack any other blood type. A person with type AB blood is a universal recipient because it has no antibodies that will attack.

Type O blood

A person with neither A nor B markers have type O blood. This blood type has both anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies. Type O blood type will attack all other blood types. A person with type O blood is a universal donor because it has both type of antibodies.

Rh-positive

A person with the Rh factor on their blood is Rh-positive. Since this person has the factor this person will not make anti-Rh antibodies. A person with this factor can receive both an Rh+ and an Rh- transfusion.

Rh-negative

A person without the Rh factor is Rh-negative. This person will produce anti-Rh antibodies.

Blood Typing

Each persons blood is different due to antigens and markers on the surface of erythrocytes. There are many different subgroups to blood typing but the two most important are the ABO system and Rh factor.

Hemostasis

The blood clotting process. Blood clumps together into small clusters when a blood vessel is cut or damaged. Platelets release a substance called thromboplastin. Thromboplastin when in the presence of calcium reacts with prothrombin (a clotting protein in blood) to form thrombin.

ABO System

There are two possible red blood markers, A and B. Markers are one method that cells identify themselves.