The body needs a sufficient amount of blood to keep functioning properly. People who lack blood are often at risk of fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and many other health problems. We all have blood of different blood groups in our body. Not only this, the blood group of real siblings can also be different. Have you ever wondered, what is this blood group? And on what parameters is it determined which group you have?
Before understanding this, we need to know how many types of blood are there. Health experts say - There are eight different types of blood groups. Which blood group you will have depends on the genes inherited from your parents. Most people have about 4-6 liters of blood in their body and this blood is made up of different types of cells.
Isn't it interesting? The blood that appears red to you has many 'secrets' hidden within it, let's understand this in detail. What is the 'secret of blood'?
Blood groups and their functions
Our blood contains many types of cells and their functions are also very important. For example, red blood cells carry oxygen to various tissues of the body, and white blood cells destroy pathogens in case of infection. Platelets present in the blood help your blood to clot, while plasma is a fluid made of proteins.
Now coming back to the same question, what makes blood groups different, how are they determined?
Determination of blood group
What makes your blood different from someone else's blood is the unique combination of protein molecules - called antigens and antibodies. Antigens are on the surface of red blood cells while antibodies are present in your plasma. It is based on these antigens and antibodies that it is determined which blood group you have.
There are four major blood groups - blood groups A, B, AB, and O. In these, antigens and antibodies are tested.
Blood group A has A antigen and B antibody.
Blood group B has B antigen and A antibody.
Blood group AB has A and B antigens but neither A nor B antibodies.
On the other hand, blood group O does not have A or B antigens but has both antibodies.
Why are these blood groups needed?
Now the question arises that why should we get into the hassle of these groups, what is the need for them after all? There is blood in the body, so the matter is over.
The matter is of the year 1901 when an Austrian scientist named Karl Landsteiner discovered blood groups for the first time. Before this, doctors also felt that all blood was the same, however, during this time if someone's blood was donated, most of the receivers would die. Karl Landsteiner then discovered that even though the blood looks similar, there is a lot of difference between them.
If B blood group blood is transfused to a person with A blood group, then instead of benefit, it can cause many serious harms. This is because the person receiving the transfusion has antibodies that compete with the donated blood cells and there is a risk of it becoming toxic.
O blood group universal donor
This is why when someone needs blood, donors are found according to their blood group. However, there is a convenience in this too.
Scientists say that people whose blood group is type O negative can save someone's life by donating blood in an emergency or in case the exact blood group is not available. This is because type O negative blood cells do not have antibodies against A, B, or Rh antigens. This is the reason why type O-negative people are also called universal donors.
(PC: ISTOCK)
