Updated: 29-04-2025
Did you know about What are the Different Types of Blood Groups?
It is essential to know your blood group, as it saves time in case of emergencies.
Blood transfusions are now an important part of any surgical intervention and healthcare procedure.
Hence, an individual needs to know their blood group.
Similarly, pregnant women must be aware of their blood groups, as an emergency can strike at any moment.
What are the Different Types of Blood Groups?
Blood Composition
Different components come together to form blood.
These include plasma, blood cells, red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), and platelets.
They each serve different functions and are extremely essential for the proper working of the body system.
Definition of Blood Group
Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, contain antigens on their surface, which are a type of protein.
The plasma is known to carry antibodies that attack certain antigens when present.
Depending on the type of red blood cell antigens, the blood groups are classified.
The most important type includes the ABO and the rhesus type.
ABO Blood Groups
ABO was discovered first and hence is considered the primary attribute for evaluating the different types of blood groups.
The distribution of the antigens in the red blood cells is as below:
- Red blood cells with type A antigens on their surface also have anti-B antibodies in the plasma
- Red blood cells with type B antigens on their surface also have anti-A antibodies in the plasma
- Red blood cells with both A and B antigens on their surface do not have antibodies of A or B in the plasma
- If both the A and B antigens are absent on the surface of the red blood cells, the plasma contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies
The Rhesus Types
People with rhesus antigens on the surface of their red blood cells are considered Rhesus (Rh) positive.
Around 3 in every 20 people do not contain the rhesus antigens in their red blood cells and hence are said to be Rh negative.
Names of Blood Groups
You inherit the genetic makeup of your DNA from your parents.
Similarly, the genetic makeup is also responsible for determining the type of antigen present in your red blood cells.
That is why the blood group test is considered important evidence in a paternity test.
The classification of blood groups is as follows:
- If you have rhesus and A antigens, you are A positive
- If you have A antigens and no rhesus antigens, then you are A negative
- If you have B and rhesus antigens, then you are B positive
- If you have B antigens but no rhesus antigens, then you are B negative
- If you have both A and B antigens, plus rhesus antigens, then you are AB positive
- If you have both A and B antigens, but no rhesus antigens, then you are AB negative
- In case you do not have both the A and B antigens, but have the rhesus antigens, you are O positive
- In case you do not have any of the antigens (A, B, and Rh), you are O negative
Minor Classification Based on Other Antigens
Many other antigens are also present on the surface of the red blood cells.
However, they are not as important as the A, B, and Rh antigens and are considered minor groups.
Universal Donor and Recipient
While carrying out blood donation, Rh-negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients.
However, Rh-positive patients can receive both Rh-positive and Rh-negative blood.
- Type O negative blood group is known as the universal red cell donor as it is compatible with all types of blood groups.
- Type AB blood group is known as a universal plasma donor
- Type AB positive blood group is known as the universal recipient because a person with this blood group can receive any type of blood.
Thus, the knowledge about the blood groups is extremely important, as it plays a major role during blood transfusion in an emergency.
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