Blood Types Flashcards
Define blood type and blood group system.
A genetic characteristic associated with the presence or absence of certain molecules, called antigens, on the surface of red blood cells.
Explain the relationship between antigens and antibodies.
Antigens are molecules determined as self made or not self made by the immune system, if deemed not self made, the immune system sends antibodies to mark it for destruction.
Identify the alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes in the ABO blood group system.
Alleles:
A, B, O
Genotypes:
AA or AO, BB or BO, AB, OO
Phenotypes:
A, B, AB, O
Discuss the medical significance of the ABO blood group system.
Significant in blood transfusions.
Knowledge of the system is necessary in order to deliver external blood that the body will recognize as a self made antigen.
Give examples of how different ABO blood types vary in their susceptibility to diseases.
Certain blood types may confer resistance or susceptibility to specific diseases, such as malaria or certain infections
Describe the Rhesus blood group system.
Has different antigens but only five main antigens (named D, C, c, E, and e)
Classified blood on the presence and absence of the Rh antigen (Rh factor) on red blood cells
Relate Rhesus blood groups to blood transfusions.
People who have the D antigen (Rh+) can be safely transfused with either Rh+ or Rh- blood
People who lack the D antigen (Rh-) can only be safely transfused with Rh- blood
What causes hemolytic disease of the newborn?
When a mother is Rh- with anti-D antibodies, the antibodies cross into the blood of the fetus, who is Rh+, and begin to attack the fetus’ blood.
A woman is blood type O and Rh- and her husband is blood type AB and Rh+. Answer the following question about this couple and their offspring.
What are the possible genotypes of their offspring in terms of ABO blood group?
AO, BO
A woman is blood type O and Rh- and her husband is blood type AB and Rh+. Answer the following question about this couple and their offspring.
What are the possible phenotypes of their offspring in terms of ABO blood group?
A, B
A woman is blood type O and Rh- and her husband is blood type AB and Rh+. Answer the following question about this couple and their offspring.
Can the woman donate blood to her husband? Explain your answer.
Yes, because she has type O blood, it is able to be received by type AB blood
A woman is blood type O and Rh- and her husband is blood type AB and Rh+. Answer the following question about this couple and their offspring.
Can the man donate blood to his wife? Explain your answer.
No, because the woman has type O blood, she can only accept type O blood
Explain why hemolytic disease of the newborn may be more likely to occur in a second pregnancy than in a first.
The mother only develops anti D antigens when her Rh- blood mixed with her newborns Rh+ blood during childbirth.
After it is developed, it will attack her second newborn’s blood during development.
