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Humans are different in many ways, and one of these is blood type.  In the ABO system, there are 4 blood type groups, based on antigens and antibodies found in the blood.  An antigen (antibody generator) is something that can be attacked it if it enters the body.  The human body uses “antibodies” to attack antigens, which it thinks are foreign invaders.  For example, people with A blood are used to A antigens and their bodies don’t fight them, but they will fight B antigens.

Transferring blood from one person to another is called transfusion and is very important when people have major accidents and illnesses.  It is very important to make sure that a person only receives blood that has no antigens, or blood with the same antigens as their own.

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Blood Type A – People with blood type A have A antigens on their red blood cells and B antibodies in their plasma (blood liquid).  They can donate blood to other people with A blood or AB blood, but they can only receive A or O blood.

Blood Type B – People with blood type B have B antigens on their red blood cells and A antibodies in their plasma (blood liquid).  They can donate blood to other people with B blood or AB blood, but they can only receive B or O blood.

Blood Type AB – People with blood type AB have both A and B antigens on their red blood cells and neither A nor B antibodies in their plasma (blood liquid).  This means that they can only donate their blood to other AB people, but they can receive A, B, AB, or O blood.  AB is the “universal receiver”.

Blood Type O – People with blood type O have no antigens on their red blood cells but both A and B antibodies in their plasma (blood liquid).  This means they can donate their blood to anyone because it has no dangerous antigens, but they can’t receive blood from anyone with antigens.  They can receive only O blood.  Type O is the “universal donor”.

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