Blood typing
Blood Typing
Blood typing (pronunciation: /blʌd/ /ˈtaɪpɪŋ/) is a medical laboratory procedure that determines the blood group of an individual. The process involves testing the blood for antigens and antibodies to identify the specific type of blood an individual has.
Etymology
The term "blood typing" is derived from the English words "blood," referring to the red liquid that circulates in the arteries and veins of humans and other vertebrate animals, and "typing," which means to classify or categorize.
Procedure
Blood typing is performed by mixing blood with antibodies against type A and B blood, and the sample is then observed for agglutination or clumping. The substances that cause blood cells to clump are called agglutinins. The presence or absence of these agglutinins determines the blood type.
Blood Groups
There are four main blood groups (types) – A, B, AB, and O. Each group can be either RhD positive or RhD negative, which means in total there are eight main blood types.
- Blood Group A: Has A antigens on the red blood cells with anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
- Blood Group B: Has B antigens with anti-A antibodies in the plasma.
- Blood Group AB: Has both A and B antigens, but no antibodies.
- Blood Group O: Has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
Importance
Blood typing is crucial in medical procedures such as blood transfusion and organ transplants. It ensures compatibility between the donor and the recipient, reducing the risk of transfusion reactions.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
- Antibody: A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen.
- Agglutination: The clumping of particles.
- Blood Transfusion: The process of transferring blood or blood products into one's circulation intravenously.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blood typing
- Wikipedia's article - Blood typing
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