A blood group (also called a blood type) is a
classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic
substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). These antigens may be
proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins or glycolipids, depending on the blood
group system. Some of these antigens are also present in the surface of other
types of cells of various tissues, several of these red blood cell surface
antigens are produced from genes and collectively form a blood group system.
Blood groups are inherited and represent contributions from both parents. A
total of about more than thirty three (33) human blood groups are now
recognized but to the two most important ones are ABO and Rh (D) antigen, they
determine someone’s blood group (Manton, et
al., 2012).
classification of blood based on the presence or absence of inherited antigenic
substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). These antigens may be
proteins, carbohydrates, glycoproteins or glycolipids, depending on the blood
group system. Some of these antigens are also present in the surface of other
types of cells of various tissues, several of these red blood cell surface
antigens are produced from genes and collectively form a blood group system.
Blood groups are inherited and represent contributions from both parents. A
total of about more than thirty three (33) human blood groups are now
recognized but to the two most important ones are ABO and Rh (D) antigen, they
determine someone’s blood group (Manton, et
al., 2012).
