DID YOU KNOW YOUR BLOOD GROUP?

It’s inherited. Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother and father.

This chart shows the potential blood types you may inherit. 

Parent 1

AB

AB

AB

AB

B

A

A

O

O

O

Parent 2

AB

B

A

O

B

B

A

B

A

O

Possible blood type of child

O

X

X

X

X

X

X

A

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

B

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

AB

X

X

X

X

There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:

• Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)
• Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)
• Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
• Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)

This is why it is advisable to check blood group before you marry