The document discusses blood groups and antigens. It notes that: 1) Blood groups (A, B, O) and Rh types are descriptions of surface proteins called antigens found on red blood cells. 2) There are two main antigens - A and B - that determine blood group. A third antigen, called D, determines Rh factor as either positive or negative. 3) Type O negative blood is the universal blood type since it lacks both A and B antigens and has a negative Rh factor, making it safe for anyone to receive.

1. Blood group antigens
• Blood groups (A, B, O) and Rh types are descriptions of
surface proteins found on all red cells.
• These surface proteins are called antigens
• Two antigens (A and B) determine blood group
Antigens
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2. Blood Groups
Group A antigens Group B antigens
B
A
Group A and B antigens Neither A nor B antigens
AB O
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3. Rh Factor
• A third antigen determines the Rh factor
– It is called D
• A person with the D antigen is “positive”
• A person without the D antigen is
“negative”
A A
A Positive A Negative
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4. Hemolytic reactions
White cells generate antibodies to
attack foreign antigens
These attacks cause the cell to lyse
or explode
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5. Type O Negative
• The universal blood type
• Negative Rh factor -- anyone can use the blood
• Newborns who need blood are given
O negative because they have a combination
of their blood and their mother’s blood
• Trauma centers need this blood
O
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6. Blood Type Breakdown
O
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7. Type O-Positive
• Any person with a blood type
with a positive Rh factor can
use it
• 84% of the people in the
U.S. can use Type O positive
blood
O
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