Concept map blood groups and transfusions

There are 4 main blood groups defined by the ABO system: 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 O – has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the plasma.

An individual's blood type depends on which genes they inherited from their parents. ABO is the best-known system for grouping blood types, though there are other methods. There are four major categories within the ABO group: A, B, O, and AB. Within these groups, there are a further eight blood types.

In the context of blood transfusions, a blood match is a compatibility between the donor's blood and the recipient's blood. This does not always mean an identical blood match. Red blood cells from a donor that is type O+ can be transfused into patients of four different blood types: A+, B+, AB+, and of course O+.

Blood types are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens – substances that can trigger an 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.