Definition of the word blood group

The term "blood group" refers to the classification of individuals based on the types of antigens present on their red blood cells and the corresponding antibodies present in their plasma. The concept of blood groups was discovered in the early 20th century by Austrian biologists Karl Landsteiner and Alexander S Heinrich, who observed that individuals can have one of several preferred antigens, A, B, or AB, present on their red blood cells, leading to the division of blood into four major groups: A, B, AB, and O. Individuals with the O antigen were found to lack antigen A or B, leading to the recognition of four blood groups. This discovery has significant medical implications, as it helps prevent transfusion reactions and hemolytic transfusion reactions, where red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system, leading to serious health consequences. Understanding blood groups is also crucial in pregnancy, organ transplantation, and blood donation, as incompatible blood types can lead to complications for the mother and fetus or the recipient and donor. In summary, "blood group" is a medical and scientific term used to describe the classification of an individual's blood based on the types of antigens present on their red blood cells and the corresponding antibodies found in their plasma.