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Blood typing is a method to tell what specific type of blood you have. What type you have depends on whether or not there are certain proteins, called antigens, on your red blood cells.
Blood is often grouped according to the ABO blood typing system. This method breaks blood types down into four categories:
- Type A
- Type B
- Type AB
- Type O
Your blood type (or blood group) depends on the types that are been passed down to you from your parents.
Alternative NamesCross matching; Rh typing; ABO blood typing
How the test is performedBlood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with a germ-killing product. An elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure, which causes the vein to swell with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected into a tube. During the procedure, the elastic band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and a band-aid or gauze is applied.
In infants or young children, the area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. A bandage may be applied if there is any bleeding.
The test to determine your blood group is called ABO typing. Your blood sample is mixed with antibodies against type A and B blood, and the sample is checked to see whether or not the blood cells stick together (agglutinate). If blood cells stick together, it means the blood reacted with one of the antibodies.
The second step is called back typing. The liquid part of your blood without cells (serum) is mixed with blood that is known to be type A and type B. Persons with type A blood have anti-B antibodies, and those with type B blood have anti-A antibodies. Type O blood contains both types of antibodies. These two steps can accurately determine your blood type.
Blood typing is also done to tell whether or not you have a substance called Rh factor on the surface of your red blood cells. If you have this substance, you are considered Rh+ (positive). Those without it are considered Rh- (negative). Rh typing uses a method similar to ABO typing.
How to prepare for the testNo special preparation is necessary for this test.
How the test will feelSome people have discomfort when the needle is inserted. Others may only feel a tiny prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a bruise may develop.
Why the test is performedThis test is done to determine a person's blood type. Health care providers need to know your blood type when you get a blood transfusion or transplant, because not all blood types are compatible with each other. For example:
- If you have type A blood, you can only receive types A and O blood.
- If you have type B blood, you can only receive types B and O blood.
- If you have type AB blood, you can receive types A, B, AB, and O blood.
- If you have type O blood, you can only receive type O blood.
Type O blood can be given to anyone with any blood type. That is why people with type O blood are called universal blood donors.
Blood typing is especially important during pregnancy. If the mother is found to be Rh-, the father should also be tested. If the father has Rh+ blood, the mother needs to receive a treatment to help prevent the development of substances that may harm the unborn baby. See: Rh incompatibility
If you are Rh+, you can receive Rh+ or Rh- blood. If you are Rh-, you can only receive Rh- blood.
Normal ValuesABO typing:
If your blood cells stick together when mixed with:
- Anti-A serum, you have type A blood
- Anti-B serum, you have type B blood
- Both anti-A and anti-B serums, you have type AB blood
If your blood cells do not stick together when anti-A and anti-B are added, you have type O blood.
Back typing:
- If the blood clumps together only when B cells are added to your sample, you have type A blood.
- If the blood clumps together only when A cells are added to your sample, you have type B blood.
- If the blood clumps together when either types of cells are added to your sample, you have type O blood.
Lack of blood cells sticking together when your sample is mixed with both types of blood indicates you have type AB blood.
RH typing:
- If your blood cells stick together when mixed with anti-Rh serum, you have type Rh-positive blood.
- If your blood does not clot when mixed with anti-Rh serum, you have type Rh-negative blood.
Risks associated with taking blood may include:
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Multiple punctures to locate veins
- Excessive bleeding
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
There are many antigens besides the major ones (A, B, and Rh). Many minor ones are not routinely detected during blood typing. If they are not detected, you may still have a reaction when receiving certain types of blood, even if the A, B, and Rh antigens are matched.
A process called cross-matching followed by a Coombs' test can help detect these minor antigens and is routinely done prior to transfusions, except in emergency situations.
ReferencesGoodnough LT. Transfusion medicine. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 183.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 02/05/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Blood typing is a method used to determine an individual's blood group based on the presence or absence of certain antigens on red blood cells. The most common blood typing system is ABO, which categorizes blood into types A, B, AB, and O. Rh factor, denoted by + or -, is another important factor in blood typing.
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How valuable are red blood cells in DNA typing?
Red blood cells do not contain a nucleus, which means they lack DNA. As a result, red blood cells are not useful for DNA typing. Instead, white blood cells, which do contain DNA, are typically used for DNA profiling and typing in forensic analysis.
How can you determine if a blood sample is compatible to transfuse from one individual to another if blood typing serum is not available?
If blood typing serum is not available, you can perform a crossmatch test by mixing a small amount of the donor's blood with the recipient's blood. If the blood cells clump together (agglutinate), it indicates an incompatible match. However, this method is less accurate than blood typing with serum, so it's important to confirm compatibility with other methods before transfusion.
What was the blood type of Cleopatra?
There is no definitive record of Cleopatra's blood type, as blood typing as we know it today did not exist during her time.
Can you tell difference between male and female blood?
There is no biological difference between male and female blood. Both males and females have the same basic components in their blood, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Blood typing and other characteristics are not determined by gender.
What doe the word heterozygous mean in terms of red cell antigen typing?
Heterozygous in red cell antigen typing means that an individual possesses two different alleles for a specific blood group antigen on their red blood cells. This is in contrast to homozygous, where an individual carries two identical alleles for a particular blood group antigen.
Who was the inventor of blood typing?
Karl Landsteiner, an Austrian biologist, is credited with discovering the basics of blood typing in 1901. His work on identifying blood groups laid the foundation for safe blood transfusions.
Use the “A-B-O” method of blood- typing in humans to answer the questions. How many phenotypes exist for this method of blood-typing?
How many phenotypes exist for this mrthod of blood typing
How do you identify our blood group?
Well you have to do blood typing.
How is simulated blood typing activity similar to actual human blood typing?
Simulated blood typing activities mimic the process of determining blood type by testing for specific antigens and antibodies present in the blood, much like in actual human blood typing. Both involve mixing blood samples with known antibodies or antigens to observe reactions and determine blood type. This allows for practice and understanding of the principles involved in blood typing without the need for real blood samples.
Is blood typing how fast you type depending on what blood you have?
No. Blood typing is figuring out what blood type you are, such as A, B, O, etc. You must first give a sample of your blood and it can be typed in a lab.
What are the basic materials for blood typing?
The basic materials for blood typing include blood samples, anti-sera (anti-A and anti-B), and glass slides or microtiter plates for performing different blood typing tests. Additionally, lancets, alcohol swabs, and pipettes are also commonly used in blood typing procedures.
Blood typing is necessary before a person can receive a?
blood transfusion :)
In twilight what are they dissecting?
They're not, they are blood typing.
What type of inheritance is blood typing?
multiple allels
How valuable are red blood cells in DNA typing?
Red blood cells do not contain a nucleus, which means they lack DNA. As a result, red blood cells are not useful for DNA typing. Instead, white blood cells, which do contain DNA, are typically used for DNA profiling and typing in forensic analysis.
What CD was playing in the car with Bella and Edward after the blood typing?
In the book, it's supposed to be Claire De Lune by Debussy, but the blood typing scene isn't included in the movie.
Where can I find information about a blood typing diet?
The American Red Cross can give you most of the information you need. They have all the information on blood typing and diets needed for a healthy lifestyle.
