Page 175 - The Miracle of the Blood and Heart

Blood: The Incomparable
Liquid of Life

special factors. There are more than 300 of these factors that
determine blood type, each one of which distinguishes you
from most other people.
The properties that determine blood type are concealed in
the red blood cells. Among the 200 different molecules in the
red blood cell membrane, those of perhaps the most interest are
the molecules that give the blood its type—A, B or 0. Red blood
cells carry either type A or type B molecules, or very occasion-
ally, both together (AB), or none (0).
Red blood cells with type A molecules also contain antibod-
ies against type B molecules. Therefore, when anyone with type
A blood is given type B blood, the immune system goes into
action within a few seconds and tries to destroy this foreign
substance. The consequences are exceedingly severe. Blood
cells burst, blood coagulates. The liver and kidneys become
unable to function properly. Unless intervention takes place
immediately, the result is generally death.
Type 0 people, who have neither molecule in their blood,
have developed antibodies against both these molecules. They
can receive blood only from people lacking the two mole-
cules—in other words, from people with type 0 blood like
themselves. People with both molecules, with type AB blood,
on the other hand, have not developed antibodies against either
molecules. They can receive blood from either type A or type B
individuals.
Another molecule on the red blood cell of just as much
importance as these others is the Rhesus (or Rh) factor. If this
is in the red blood cells, then the blood type will be Rh-
positive (Rh+); otherwise, it will be Rh-negative (Rh-).
The major significance of the Rh factor manifests
itself in blood incompatibilities during pregnancy. A
Adnan
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