Heredity and ABO Blood group system
This animation represents the characteristics of the A, B, O and AB blood groups.
Also it addresses the inheritance of blood groups by using a pedigree chart.
Red blood cells (called erythrocytes) are the principle consituents of blood. They contain the hemoglobin that transports CO2 and O2 in an organism.
The four blood groups A, B, O and AB get their names from the characteristic antigens (or agglutinations) that are found at the surface of the red blood cells. They exist in two types: A and B antigens.
In addition, in the blood plasma, specific antibodies circulate called agglutinates. They can be of two types: anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies.
- In an individual of group A blood, the red blood cells present, at their surface, the type A antigens only. The plasma only contains anti-B antibodies
- In an individual of group B blood, the red blood cells present, at their surface, the type B antigens only. The plasma only contains anti-A antibodies.
- An individual of group AB blood, simultaneously possesses both the A and B antigen on the red blood cells, but no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
- An individual of group O blood, does not possess A or B antigens on the red blood cells but the plasma contains both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.
