How ABO/RH blood groups are determined?
The are determined by genes. How do we determine someones blood type in a lab? Blood types are determined by antigen /antibody interactions. Antigens are the markers on your cells that determine your blood type. Antibodies are produced by the immune system. They attach to antigens (foreign bodies) and mark the antigen for destruction by the immune system. A persons red blood cells are mixed with a solution that contains antibodies, specifically anti-A and anti-B. If the person has A on their cells, the anti-A will bind to the cells causing agglutination (clumping). If they have B on their cells, the anti-B will bind to their cells causing agglutination. If they have type AB blood, both anti-A and anti-B will agglutinate their cells and if they have type O blood, neither anti-A nor anti-B will agglutinate their cells.
