Replacing Cells - Biotechnology and Your Health: Pharmaceutical Applications - page 107

Figure 8.1 When a person receives blood, it is essential that the ABO blood
groups are compatible. ABO Blood Group testing for blood transfusions is
illustrated here. Antibodies in the serum (the clear part of blood) form clumps
of red blood cells when they come in contact with red blood cells of an incom-
patible blood group. For example, the sera of O and B transfusion recipients
would cause clumping of red cells from donors whose blood is type A or AB.
to person during blood transfusions, the discovery of the ABO blood
groups , the recognition of the importance of ABO matching to
prevent deadly transfusion reactions, and the discovery of simple
ways to keep blood from clotting (Figure 8.1). Today, human blood
is routinely used to replace blood lost in accidents, surgery, or
childbirth, or to supplement lack of certain blood components.