Multiple Alleles: The ABO blood group system in man.

Alleles are usually expressed as a pair of alternating characters of the same gene at a particular locus, in Mendelian Genetics. However, some genes have more than two alleles at a given locus. An example of such multiple alleles is the example of the alleles controlling the ABO blood group system in man.

Multiple Alleles: Genetics

The ABO system is controlled by three alleles referred to as IAA , IB and Io . The IA allele is responsible for the production of type A antigen on the surface of the persons red blood cells. The IB allele for the production of type B antigens. The third allele Io does not produce any antigen.

Multiple Alleles: continued

As any two of the three alleles can be present at any one time, an individual may possess any one of the following six genotypes: IAIA, IAIo, IBIB, IBIo, IAIB, IoIo. The IA and IB alleles are co dominant and both of them are dominant over Io.

Multiple Alleles: Genotypes and their Phenotypes.

Genotype IAIA/IAIo Phenotype Blood group A

IBIB/IBIo
IAIB IoIo

Blood group B
Blood group AB Blood group O

Multiple Alleles: Physiology of the Blood groups.

There are four blood groups or types A, B, AB and O. These blood types refer to different versions of a carbohydrate molecules, complex sugars, which are present on the surface of red blood cells. People with Type A blood have Type A carbohydrate molecules, people with Type B blood have Type B carbohydrate molecules, and people with Type AB blood have both Type A and Type B carbohydrate molecules on their red blood. People with Type O blood do not have either the A or B carbohydrate molecules on their red blood cells.

Multiple Alleles: Physiology of the Blood groups.

The Type A and Type B carbohydrate molecules are called antigens Antibodies are special proteins that travel in the blood and help our bodies to destroy viruses or bacteria that may have infected our bodies. Normally, our bodies do not make antibodies against any molecules that are part of our own bodies. For example, people with Type A blood do not make antibodies against the Type A antigen which is present on their red blood cells, but they do make antibodies against the Type B antigen.

Blood group A
If you belong to the blood group A, you have A antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in your blood.

Blood group B
If you belong to the blood group B, you have B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in your blood.

Blood group AB
If you belong to the blood group AB, you have both A and B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells and no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in your blood.

Blood group O
If you belong to the blood group O, you have neither A nor B antigens on the surface of your red blood cells, but you have both anti-A and anti-B antibodies in your blood.

Antigens on Red Blood cell surface and Antibodies in plasma.

Test your understanding of blood groups by completing the table below. Blood groups AB A B O Antibodies in plasma

Anti B

Blood transfusions who can receive blood from whom?

If you are given a blood transfusion that does not match your blood type, antibodies present in your blood will react with the antigens present on the donated red blood cells. For example, if a person who has Type A blood is given a Type B blood transfusion, then this person's anti-B antibodies will react with the Type B antigens on the donated red blood cells and cause a harmful reaction. This reaction can cause the donated red blood cells to burst and/or clump together and block blood vessels.

Blood transfusions who can receive blood from whom?

Blood group Antigens on RBC Antibodies Can give in plasma blood to
Can receive blood from

A B

A B

Anti B Anti A

A and AB B and AB

A and O B and O A, B, AB and O

AB
O

A and B
none

None
Both

AB A, B, AB and O O

Finding out the blood group.