Different blood types

Every human being has blood flowing through them. Blood plays a pivotal role in supplying the wanted nutrients and oxygen to the billions of cells that are present in our body. They also play an important role in cleaning our body by transporting the unwanted carbon dioxide and other wastes produced by our body to our lungs, kidneys and digestive system. Without blood we cannot maintain our body temperature, cannot fight infections, and also cannot get rid of our own waste. Eating a balanced diet can help you maintain a good circulatory system. There are also blood type diets available nowadays.

Though the color and characteristics are all the same, the blood type may be different for different people. The classification of blood types is based on the antigenic substances which are present in the surface of RBC. Depending upon the blood group system these antigens can be carbohydrates, glycolipids and proteins. In humans there are eight different blood types of blood groups and these are classified according to absence or presence of some antigens. Antigens are substances that prevent toxins from entering our body. Their action and number present in each body may vary, and this difference causes the existence of different blood types. Antigens play an important role in triggering the immune response if they are foreign to the body. Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.

There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:

• Group A – This blood type has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)

• Group B – This blood type has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)

• Group AB – This blood type has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)

• Group O – This blood type has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)