I just went for a blood test and came back knowing I have type AB blood. However my blood can only be used by other people who share the same blood type with me but not others, while other people with type O, A, B they can share the blood with me. Why is that so?
In: Chemistry
While many comments are explaining the ABO and Rhesus system, none are explaining why we EVOLVED to have those. The answer is: we’re not sure.
In terms of morphology, we know that the Rh antigens are membrane transport proteins (proteins that help move ” things” in and out of the cell’s membrane). Some think that they are parts of a ammonia transporter, but it’s not clear.
Why do we focus on this particular group of antigens to denominate blood “groups”? Because they are the main cause of the immunological reactions that arise when you transfuse “incompatible” blood (hemolysis and diffuse intravascular coagulation). There are many other antigens on blood cells, that we can study but are less relevant, because they cause less incompatibility reactions.
It’s not exactly what you asked for, but the context is interesting imho.
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