Blood type O is the universal recipient blood type. This means that people with type O blood can receive blood from any other blood type. This is because type O blood does not have any A or B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. Antigens are proteins that the body’s immune system can recognize. If a person receives blood with an antigen that their body does not recognize, their immune system will attack the blood cells, which can lead to serious health problems.
Blood type A has A antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. Blood type B has B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. Blood type AB has both A and B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells.
People with type O blood can only donate blood to other people with type O blood. This is because type O blood does not have any A or B antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. If a person with type O blood donates blood to someone with a different blood type, the person’s immune system may attack the donated blood cells.
Blood type is an inherited trait. This means that the blood type that a person has is determined by the genes that they inherit from their parents.