Blood Type

human biology · medical science · genetics · blood

Red cell markers. Blood type is determined by tiny markers called antigens that sit on the surface of your red blood cells, kind of like ID badges that make your blood distinctly yours.

Inherited from parents. You get your blood type from your parents through genes, which means the code for your blood type is written in your DNA before you're even born.

Antibody defenders. Your blood also contains antibodies that recognize which blood types are friendly to your body and which ones are not, protecting you like an immune system security guard.

Written in proteins. The markers on your red blood cells can be made of proteins, sugars, or combinations called glycoproteins that stick out from the cell surface like tiny flags.

Matters for transfusions. Knowing your blood type is super important for doctors because getting the wrong type of blood in a transfusion can make your body's antibodies attack the new blood cells.