MAINTENANCE OF THE

BODY

CHAPTER 1: BLOOD
 OVERVIEW

1. ABO 2. Blood
System Transfusion

BLOOD

3. Rh
Factor 4. Disorder

BIO310 / Blood / NHM

 LESSON OUTCOMES

Classify and describe the characteristics of ABO and Rh blood type

based on the antigens on RBC and antibodies in blood plasma

Define blood transfusion and

transfusion reaction
Define agglutination and
haemolysis
Explain blood compatibility in
Explain how Rh factor ABO blood and Rh factor
can affect pregnancy

Describe blood disorder :

BIO310 / Blood / NHM
Anemia, leukemia
 BLOOD SYSTEMS
AND
BLOOD TRANSFUSION
 HUMAN BLOOD

Blood Type
• The two most common blood typing in human are the ABO
and Rh systems.

Rh system
(Rhesus)

ABO system
ABO blood group system:
• classification of human blood based on the inherited
properties of red blood cells (erythrocytes) as determined
by the presence or absence of the antigens A and B

BIO310 / Blood / NHM

 ABO SYSTEMS
 Different human blood types are due to variations in the surface
markers on the RBC.
 Medically important because the immune system proteins –
antibodies – recognize and organize an attack on virtually anything.
 Any molecule that triggers the defensive attack is called antigen.
 RBC bear highly specific surface antigens (a glycoprotein)
 Presence of surface antigen closely associated with blood typing
system, ABO system.

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WORLD DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD GROUP TYPE

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 RED BLOOD CELL ANTIGENS AND BLOOD TYPING

 Antigens - found on the surface of cells to help immune system

recognize self cells
 Antibodies - secreted by lymphocytes in response to foreign
cells
 ABO system: antigens on erythrocyte cell surfaces
 Type A = Has the A antigen, antibody B
 Type B = Has the B antigen, antibody A
 Type AB = Has both the A and B antigens
 Type O = Has neither the A nor the B antigen

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Red Blood Cell Antigens

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BIO310 / Blood / NHM
A PARTICULAR BLOOD TYPE HAS THE OPPOSING
ANTIBODY IN THE PLASMA.

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 BLOOD TRANSFUSION

 Process of transferring blood component (part of a whole

blood) from one person into another.
 The blood used in a transfusion is compatible with one’s blood
type.
 Blood transfusions can be life-saving (massive blood loss, to
replace blood lost during surgery)

 Used to treat a severe anemia or

thrombocytopenia caused by blood
disease (hemophilia, sickle-cell
disease).

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Whole blood transfusion
 Whole blood: blood that has not been modified except for the
addition of an anticoagulant.
 Are routine when blood loss is rapid and substantial.

Packed red cells infusion

 Whole blood from which most of its plasma has been removed.
 Preferred for restoring oxygen-carrying capacity.

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Whole blood transfusion:
To replace substantial blood loss and to treat anemia
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 TRANSFUSION REACTIONS:
AGGLUTINATION AND HEMOLYSIS

 Transfusion reaction (hemolytic): serious complication that

can occur after a transfusion of blood.
 Occurs when mismatched blood type infused
 The red blood cells that were given in the transfusion are
destroyed by the patient's immune system.
 Donor’s RBC will be attacked by the recipient’s plasma
antibodies.

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 RED BLOOD CELL ANTIGENS AND BLOOD TYPING

 Transfusion reaction: If a person receives the wrong blood type,

antibodies bind to erythrocytes and cause agglutination.
 Agglutination – the recipient antibodies attach to the donor’s RBC
and form bridges that cause the cells to clump together
 Lead to blockage of small blood vessels and cause hemolysis,
which may damage kidneys and other organs

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RED BLOOD CELL ANTIGENS AND BLOOD TYPING

In a transfusion reaction, a person has antibodies

against antigens he does not have.

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BIO310 / Blood / NHM
FILL IN THE TABLE

√ X
 Type O – universal donor
- type O lack of A and B antigens, so recipient’s antibodies
cannot cause agglutination of the donor RBC.
 Type AB – universal recipient
- type AB lack anti-A and anti-B antibodies, cannot agglutinate
donor RBC.

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 RED BLOOD CELL ANTIGENS AND BLOOD TYPING

 Agglutination can be used for

blood typing.
 Testing blood by mixing with 2
different types if immune serum:
Anti-A
Anti-B
 Agglutination occurs when RBC
of a group A person are mixed
with anti-A serum, but not when
the mixed with anti-B.

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RH FACTOR
THE RH(D) ANTIGEN

Rh is the most complex system, with

over 45 antigens
Discovered in 1940 after work on
Rhesus monkeys
Later the same antigen was
discovered in human
RH gene located on short arm of
chromosome 1

ABO & Rh(D) 26

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 Rh + : RBCs carry D antigen.
 Rh - : there is no D antigen.
 Unlike the ABO system antibodies, anti-Rh antibodies are
NOT spontaneously formed in Rh- individuals.
 However if Rh- person receives Rh+ blood, the immune
system become sensitized and begins producing anti-Rh
antibodies.
 The d gene is recessive:
 Dd, dD, DD, persons are Rh(D) pos
 Only dd persons are Rh(D) neg

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 DISTRIBUTION OF RH(D) TYPES

Population Rh(D) pos Rh(D) neg

Caucasian 86% 14%

African-American 95% 5%

Oriental >99% <1%

ABO & Rh(D) 28

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 SIGNIFICANCE OF RH(D)

80% of Rh- persons exposed to Rh+ blood will

develop anti-D.
Anti-D can also be stimulated by pregnancy with an
Rh+ baby.
 Sensitisation can be prevented by the use of anti-D
immunoglobulin, antenatally and post natally
Rh- females of childbearing potential should never
be given Rh+ blood products.

ABO & Rh(D) 29

 SIGNIFICANCE OF RH(D)

 If an Rh- woman becomes pregnant by an Rh+ man, there is a chance

the fetus will be Rh+.
 During pregnancy or childbirth, some of the fetal RBC may leak into the
mother’s bloodstream.
 If they do, mother’s immune system will produce antibodies against Rh.
 [Anti-Rh antibodies are NOT spontaneously formed]
 If she becomes pregnant again, Rh antibodies will enter the
bloodstream of her new fetus.
 If the fetus is Rh+, mother’s antibodies will cause its RBC to swell and
burst. (Hemolytic disease of new born)
 Treatment: Mother treated with RhoGAM before or shortly after giving
birth.
 RhoGAM: Serum containing anti-Rh agglutinins (block mother’s
immune response and prevent sensitization.
BIO310 / Blood / NHM
 BLOOD TYPING GAME

http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/blo
odtypinggame/gamev2/index.html

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BLOOD DISORDER

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 ANEMIA

 Defined as a decrease in the amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or

the amount of hemoglobin in the blood
 Blood has abnormally low oxygen carrying capacity
 Blood oxygen levels cannot support normal metabolism
 Symptoms: fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath and chills

Blood loss
(Hemorrhagic anemia) Decreased in RBC
Causes of formation
anemia (Iron-deficiency
Destruction of red anemia)
blood cell
(Hemolytic anemia)
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 ANEMIA

Reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood.

Causes: low levels of hemoglobin, low numbers of
red blood cells, abnormal hemoglobin, heavy
menstrual flow in women
Symptoms: pale skin, headaches, fatigue, dizziness,
difficulty in breathing.
 Types of anemia
1. Iron-deficiency anemia: insufficient iron results in
fewer hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells.
2. Aplastic anemia: bone marrow does not produce
enough stem cells.
3. Hemorrhagic anemia: extreme blood loss during
injuries, bleeding ulcers, malaria, etc.
4. Pernicious anemia: deficiency of vitamin B12
absorbed by the digestive tracts.
5. Sickle-cell anemia: red blood cells become sickle-
shaped when oxygen concentration is low. An
inherited disorder.
 LEUKEMIA

 Cancerous conditions involve WBC

 Group of cancers that usually begins in the bone marrow and
results in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells

 Bone marrow totally occupied with cancerous leukocytes.

 WBC produced, not functional.
 Death caused by internal hemorrhage and infections.
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 LEUKEMIA

Uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal immature

white blood cells in the bone marrow.
Types: acute or chronic
Causes: mutation of white blood cells, viral
infections, exposure to radiation or harmful
chemicals, genetic factor.
Symptoms: tissues bruise easily, bones become
tender, headaches, enlarged lymph nodes.
Treatments: radiotherapy, chemotherapy,
transplants of bone marrow.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
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BIO310 / Blood / NHM
THE END