Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

ABO Blood Group and RH Group System

share icon
share icon

Meaning of Blood Groups

Blood groups are something that you should know about if you are planning to donate blood.  However, there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to blood group testing. It can be hard for people with different types of blood to figure out the best way to study them. Types of blood groups are  important to know for a variety of reasons.


Blood group testing is done in order to find out what type of blood you have. There are four main types of blood groups: A, B, AB and O. Each one is determined by the presence or absence of two antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are called A and B. If you have the antigen A on your red blood cells, then you have type A blood. If you have the antigen B on your red blood cells, then you have type B blood. If you have both antigens (A and B) on your red blood cells, then you have type AB blood. And if you don’t have either antigen (A or B) on your red blood cells, then you have type O blood.


There are also rare blood groups, such as the Rh factor. If you have the Rh factor on your red blood cells, then you have type Rh+blood. If you don’t have the Rh factor on your red blood cells, then you have type Rh-blood.

Why is it Important To Acknowledge the ABO Blood Group?

It is also important to acknowledge the ABO system when carrying out a paternity test or in cases of child abuse. In these situations, it is necessary to determine the child’s father’s blood group in order to identify any potential risks. ABO blood group is also important in cases of organ transplants.

Determination of ABO Blood Group:

The ABO blood group is determined by the presence or absence of two antigens on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens are called A and B. If you have the antigen A on your red blood cells, then you have type A blood. If you have the antigen B on your red blood cells, then you have type B blood. If you have both antigens (A and B) on your red blood cells, then you have type AB blood. And if you don’t have either antigen (A or B) on your red blood cells, then you have type O blood.

Why is it Important to Acknowledge the RH Blood System?

It is also important to acknowledge the RH system when carrying out a paternity test or in cases of child abuse. In these situations, it is necessary to determine the child’s father’s blood group in order to identify any potential risks. It is not very  common for people to have RH-negative blood, so it is important for doctors and nurses to know how rare your type of blood is. Also, this information can help them decide what the best course of action might be in certain situations where there could be complications with RH-positive or negative patients.

RH blood group determination?

Blood group determination is usually performed by testing the patient’s red blood cells for the presence of antigens. The most common way to test for RH-positive and negative status is through a process called agglutination. Agglutination involves mixing your blood with anti-RH antibodies in order to determine whether or not you have RH (Anti-RhD) antibodies on your surface. If you are Rh+ then these antibodies will clump together because they are all attached to the same antigen, otherwise there won’t be any reaction at all.


This can be done either before or after pregnancy occurs between two people who both have different types of detectable groups on their red blood cells, this helps doctors decide which course of action to take in order to prevent any complications.

Best Ways to Study Blood Groups:

1)  Watch a video about blood groups:

This is a great way to learn the basics of the ABO and RH blood systems. It will help you understand why it is important to know your blood group, and what could happen if you don’t have the correct type of blood.

2)  Read a book about blood groups:

There are many books available that can help you learn more about the ABO and RH blood systems. Books will allow you to read in detail about each type of system, why it is important for doctors and nurses to know this information, what could happen if your child has a different blood group from their father or mother, how these tests work, who should get tested etc..

3)  Use a flashcard app to help you learn:

There are many different flashcard apps that can help you learn about blood groups. This is an easy and convenient way to study, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. All the information will be right at your fingertips.

Want to read offline? download full PDF here
Download full PDF
Is this page helpful?
like-imagedislike-image

FAQs on ABO Blood Group and RH Group System

1. Who Discovered Blood Groups?

Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system in 1901 during an experiment. Later in 1902, Alfred von Decastello and Adrianao Sturli, who assisted Karl Landsteiner, discovered the type AB. 

2. How Many Types of Blood Groups are There?

There are four different types; namely, A, B, AB and O and they are classified based on the presence of inherited antigenicity on the RBCs. Also, each of these blood types is either Rh, negative or positive.  

3. Which Blood Group is Called a Universal Donor?

The blood type O is known as a universal donor as they can donate blood to all three blood types, i.e. A, B, O and AB. However, they can receive blood from only type O.

4. How much time does it take to prepare the topic for exams?

It depends on the person. Some people may learn better by watching a video, while others may prefer to read a book. There is no right or wrong way to study, so find what works best for you and stick with it!

5. I am RH- negative. What does that mean?

If you are RH- negative, it means that your red blood cells do not have the antigen RH on them. This occurs in about 15% of the population. People who are RH- negative need to be careful when receiving blood transfusions, as their body may react negatively to any blood that is not RH- negative.

6. Can I donate blood if I am RH- negative?

Yes! You can definitely donate blood if you are RH- negative. In fact, your blood type may be very important to doctors and nurses who are looking for rare blood types. Donating blood is a great way to help others in need.

7. What are the problems faced by the person who is ABO positive?

A person who is ABO positive may have problems if they need a blood transfusion. Their body will likely react negatively to any blood that is not from their own group. This can be dangerous, so it is important for people with this blood type to know their status in advance.


Competitive Exams after 12th Science