Why do blood types matter? - Natalie S. Hodge

Dig into the 4 main blood types — A, B, AB, and O — and find out why some bloods can mix while others cannot.

--

It’s often said that despite humanity’s many conflicts, we all bleed the same blood. It’s a nice thought, but not quite accurate. In fact, our blood comes in a few different varieties. Natalie S. Hodge defines the four major blood types and sheds light on why some bloods can mix while others cannot.

Lesson by Natalie S. Hodge, animation by Brad Purnell.

Support Our Non-Profit Mission
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------

Connect With Us
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------

Keep Learning
----------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------

[l.z.]

There’s one thing they neglected to mention: it’s that O, although recessive, stays in your body if one of your parents transferred it to you. Therefore if for example your parents are O and B, you become B but still have the O gene. Therefore you can pass on an O gene even if you’re an A or B. That’s why the O blood type hasn’t become extinct.

edit: to everyone saying it’s the definition of heredity/recessive gene, you’re absolutely right and I get it, I’m just trying to clear this up for those unaware :)

[ddburdette]

As someone with an AB- blood type, I am always annoyed when in fiction there a plot line in which someone is in deep peril because they have the rare AB- blood type and need a transfusion, but a match is hard to find because of the rarity of AB-, when, in fact, even though AB- is the rarest blood type, finding a match is the easiest since someone with type AB- is a universal recipient.

[jinde]

What's fascinating ist that people with different bloodtypes are more/less susceptible to certain diseases. I haven't seen much research in this field and it dealt only with pandemics like the Plague. It could be useful in the future to know.

[martinv]

My grandpa was in need of a blood transfusion, but they couldn't find data on what blood type he needed. He kept telling us to "be positive", but it's hard to think like that now when he's gone.

[kingmaru]

How come there's more O blood type people when A and B is dominant over O?

[kanyebreast]

I've had 2 life saving blood transfusions. I am very grateful to have a common blood type. I was so thankful to my donors that I wanted to also start donating blood. However, in the UK if you have received blood transfusion, that forever rules you out of donating blood. Please, to all those with rare blood types in particular, give blood. The people who receive it are always very grateful.

[murrayburke]

The prevailing blood type also greatly varies by global region. For example: B+ is found in 8.5 percent of the U.S. population. Across many countries in South Eastern Asia, B+ is the most common blood type, found in more than 30 percent of the population.

[NoriMori]

2:22 - I microwaved something a couple minutes ago and I thought my microwave was beeping at me…

[XoletteScience]

I'm a biology teacher and the animation at 0:47 and 2:34, is misleading-- a white blood cell attaching itself to a red blood cell is not what occurs.   A better animation would be the white blood cell just passing along, ignoring the red blood cell. The white blood cells shouldn't "notice" the red blood cells-- anything they notice, gets destroyed.  What the animation looks like is "agglutination" which is bad-- it's what happens when let's say, a person receives the wrong type of blood.  Antibodies will attach to multiple foreign blood cells and cause clotting.


Usually any attachment of a white blood cell to another cell, is usually what happens before that cell is destroyed, like macrophages. At least that's my understanding and perhaps I'm reading into that animation incorrectly.  

Other than that, fantastic video.  I've taught my students about blood type and genetics and they were fascinated.  So much that my 3rd year teaching biology, I started doing blood typing labs.  My students loved learning about blood type and were excited to know their own, even if that meant having to bleed in class.  :)

[teamboobooseth]

I would like to add a few things to this video: RH negative mothers will make Anti-D when they have a RH positive fetus if there is a bleed, that is why Rhogam is given to RH negative women, to prevent Anti-D from forming. Also, there are different blood group systems that have likely developed as a preventative measure. For example, the Duffy system has a combination that likely developed because it provided better protection against Malaria.

[kaarunakshatha]

thank you. With the help of your wonderful, innovative animations, i can completely understand this topic

[rizzay]

2:04 If you happen to inherit two Os y--

Me:you get Oxygen

[xiaooquendo]

We had blood typing done back in high school and mine shows type O. I thought for a long time that my blood type sucks compared to other types. But I appreciate it more now after watching the video. Thanks Ted Ed.

[amorendradeborkhy]

I am learning better more from Ted Ed than my school .. thank you for making such awesome content and for you simplicity

[rogerdodger]

The graphics in this video were fantastic in making simple, a complicated subject. Good job!!

[kolang]

This Video is slightly incomplete:Two parents with B blood type can produce a child with either B or O blood type. One parent with A and another with B can produce a child with A, B, AB or O blood types. If one parent has A and another has AB, they can either produce a child with A, B or AB blood types.

[bmouch]

I'm AB+ And I'm getting that tattooed on my chest, not for decoration, just in case I'm ever wounded and knocked unconscious, the doctors know that any blood will do, rather than use their precious supply of O on a John Doe.

[bwashokkumar]

*"Meanwhile"*
Mosquitoes to people with O blood type:
*"Peace was never an option"*

[chelin]

Great introduction to blood types and good foundation for further analysis 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[tripleapocalypse]

my bloodtype's AB, i feel so i dont give, yet i receive lol