• Question: What do different blood groups determine (if they determine anything)? And what are some of the rare blood groups? thanks:)

    Asked by ibelieveinkarma to Emma, Jimmy, Janet, Niall, Simon on 15 Mar 2013.
    • Photo: James Holloway

      James Holloway answered on 15 Mar 2013:

      They are related to your ancestors, what part of the world they came from. They determine what blood you can and can’t receive in an emergency.

      O type blood cells have smooth surfaces. White blood cells (our bloods body guards) do not see them as foreign attackers. Everyone can receive O type blood.

      A type blood cells have certain proteins sticking out the surface. White blood cells that aren’t used to seeing these proteins will think A cells are invading so will fight them! Only A type or AB type people can receive A type blood.

      B type blood cells have a different protein sticking out the surface. Only B or AB type people can receive B type blood.

      There is actually a super rare blood type called Bombay blood type (hh). 1 in 300000 thousand people have it.

    • Photo: Niall Crawford

      Niall Crawford answered on 15 Mar 2013:

      I’m and O- blood type, which means everyone can use my blood, but I can only have O- blood. The blood bank are always asking for my blood!

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