Blood is a liquid that circulates through our body through capillaries, veins, and arteries. It is an essential element of all vertebrates, since it is considered as a connective tissue. Therefore, the main function of the blood is to systemically distribute and integrate the entire organism. In this way, the blood is responsible for, for example, the distribution of nutrients throughout the body. It is thus a very important aspect for human life, since without it it is impossible for the body to function. This liquid, as we well know, is red in color due to hemoglobin, which is in turn found in erythrocytes. When it is liquid, the blood, in addition to the erythrocytes, is also made up of leukocytes and platelets. In solid form it is made up of the so-called blood plasma.
Human beings, however, do not have the same blood type. In fact, there are different types, some of which are incompatible with each other. This means that each of us has a specific blood type that is mainly defined by its internal characteristics. That is, due to its chemical composition. Likewise, there are those known as blood groups, which are two, and which are defined by the characteristics present or not on the surface of the red blood cells and in the blood serum.
Blood types:
Antigens: this type of blood is defined by the substance that triggers the formation of antibodies and therefore has the ability to give an immune response if necessary. This blood type is popularly known as the ABO system.
Blood types, Rh factor
Rh factor: This blood type is defined by the amount of integral protein in the agglutinogenic membrane of the red blood cells. In this case, there are positive or negative cases, whether or not you have said protein. It is the latter that defines the type of blood you have.
Group A blood: This type of blood has its A antigens on red blood cells and type B antibodies on plasma.
Group B blood: Obviously, this type of blood has its B antigens on red blood cells, while A antibodies in plasma.
Group AB blood: this type of blood has its antigens A and B on red blood cells and does not have any type of antibodies, neither A nor B, in the plasma. People who have this blood type have the advantage of being able to receive or be compatible with any other blood type. However, they can only donate to people who have the same blood type.
Group O blood: This type of blood does not have A or B antigens on red blood cells, although it does have A and B antibodies in plasma. People who have this blood type are considered as universal donors, since they can donate to other people regardless of their blood type but they can only receive of the same type.
