BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
BLOOD GROUP
DETERMINATION
(2022-2023)
Project submitted to: Project submitted by:
Meenakshi Ma’am Judit Joby
CBSE roll no:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not
have been possible without the kind support and help of many
individuals.
The project has been completed following different steps and
consultations with teachers, Ms Meenakshi Ma’am and lab
assistant Shajita Ma’am whose valuable advice, guidance and
constant encouragement helped me in completing this project.
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INDEX
SL NO Content Page no
1 Objective 4
2
Introductions 5
3
Contents 6-10
4
Conclusions 11
5
Bibliography 12
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OBJECTIVE
To know about:
Importance of knowing our blood group
Different types of blood
Differences between antibodies and antigen
The rh antibody
Blood donors
Pregnancy problems
Disease caused by transfusion
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INTRODUCTION
We all should be aware of our blood groups. It plays a vital
role when it comes to having a blood transfusion. Knowing
our blood group helps us to select appropriate blood for
transfusion either during any emergencies or accidents.
A human blood cell includes red blood cells, white blood
cells, and platelets. All these blood cells play a significant role
in transportation, protection, and regulation. Blood groups are
determined by the presence or absence of antigens and
antibodies on the surface of our red blood cells or
erythrocytes. The blood transfusion from the wrong blood
group can be life-threatening.
The four major blood groups are: A, B, AB, and O. The blood
grouping system was discovered in the year 1901 by Karl
Landsteiner- an Austrian biologist and immunologist.
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Blood groups
The four main types of blood are A, B, AB, and O. The genes that you
inherit from your parents determine which group you belong to.
Each group can be either RhD positive or RhD negative, which means
in total there are eight blood group.
Antibodies and antigens
Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are the components of
blood, which is made up of plasma. The antigens and antibodies in the
blood identify the various group.
Antibodies are proteins found in plasma. They are part of your body’s
natural defences. They recognise foreign substances, such as germs,
and alert your immune system, which destroys them.
Antigens are proteins molecules found on the surface of red blood
cells.
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The ABO system
There are four main blood groups defined by ABO system:
Blood group A-has A antigen on the red blood cells with anti-B
antibodies in the plasma
Blood group B – has B antigen on the red blood cells with anti-
A antibodies in the plasma
Blood group O – has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B
antibodies in the plasma.
Blood group AB-has both A and B antigens, but no antibodies.
Blood group O is the most common blood group.
Receiving blood from the wrong ABO group can be life-threatening.
For example, if someone with group B blood is given group A blood,
their anti-A antibodies will attack the group A cells.
Therefore, group A blood must never be given to someone who has
group B blood and vice versa.
As group O red blood cells do not have any A or B antigens, it can
safely be given to any other group.
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The Rh system
Red blood cells sometimes have another antigen, a protein known as
the RhD antigen. If this is present, your blood group is RhD positive.
If it is absent, your blood group is RhD negative.
This means you can be 1 of 8 blood groups:
A RhD positive (A+)
A RhD negative (A-)
B RhD positive (b+)
B RhD negative (b-)
O RhD positive (O+)
O RhD negative (O-)
AB RhD positive (AB+)
AB RhD negative (AB-)
In most cases, O RhD negative blood (O-) can safely be given to
anyone. It is often used in medical emergencies when the blood type
is not immediately known.
It is safe for most recipients because it does not have any A, B or RhD
antigens on the surface of the cells and is compatible with every other
ABO and RhD blood group.
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Blood group test
To work out your blood group, your red cells are mixed with different
antibody solutions. If, for example, the solution contains anti-B
antibodies and you have B antigens on your cells (your blood group
B), it will clump together.
If the blood does not react to any of the anti-A or anti-B antibodies, it
is blood group O. A series of tests with distinct types of antibodies
can be used to identify your blood group.
If you have blood transfusion – where blood is taken from one person
and given to another. Your blood will be tested against a sample of
donor cells that contain ABO and RhD antigens. If there is no
reaction, donor blood with the same ABO and RhD type can be used.
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Pregnancy
Pregnant women are always given a blood group test. This is because
if the mother is RhD negative, but the child has inherited RhD-
positive blood from the father, it could cause complications if left
untreated.
RhD-negative women of child-bearing age should always only
receive RhD-negative blood.
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Blood donors
Most people can give blood, but only 1 in 25 people do. You can
donate blood if you:
are fit and healthy
weigh at least 50kg (7st 12lb)
are 17-66 years old (or 70 if you have given blood before)
are over 70 and have given blood in the last 2 years
Diseases caused by transfusion
Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) are infections resulting
from the introduction of a pathogen into a person through blood
transfusion. A wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses,
prions, and parasites can be transmitted through blood transfusions.
Microorganisms such as hepatitis B virus and HIV-1 can be
transmitted by a contaminated blood transfusion from an infected
individual to a recipient and cause disease that can lead to chronic
hepatitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome respectively.
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CONCLUSION
Blood group O is the commonest blood in, followed by A, B, and AB.
Blood typing is done so you can safely receive a blood transfusion or
a transplant. Your blood type must closely match the blood type of the
blood you are receiving. If the blood types do not match: Your
immune system will see the donated red blood cells as foreign.
Studies indicated that blood type O has a connection with increased
incidence of cholera, plague, tuberculosis infections, whereas blood
type A is linked with increased incidence of smallpox; blood type B is
also associated with increased incidence of gonorrhea, tuberculosis,
and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and salmonella infections; and blood
type AB is associated with increased incidence of smallpox and
salmonella infections.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.nhs.uk.com
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.highmarkblueshield.com
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