Forward and Reverse Blood Typing Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering basic terminology, inheritance rules, reagents, and principles of forward and reverse blood typing.

Landsteiner's Law

The principle stating that normal, healthy individuals possess ABO antibodies in their serum directed against the ABO antigens missing from their red blood cells.

Forward Typing

A blood typing procedure that uses known antisera (antibodies) to detect unknown antigens on a patient's red blood cells.

Reverse Typing

A blood typing procedure that uses known A and B red blood cells (antigens) to identify unknown antibodies in a patient's serum.

H Gene

The gene that provides the precursor sugar structure on the red blood cell membrane to which A or B carbohydrates are attached by transferases.

Rh Factor (D Antigen)

A protein antigen on red blood cells, inherited independently of the ABO system, whose presence or absence determines Rh positive or Rh negative status.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Reagents manufactured to be highly specific for a single corresponding antigen, such as Anti-A, Anti-B, and Anti-D antisera.

Universal Donor

Blood group O negative ($O^-$), which can be transfused to individuals of any ABO and Rh blood type.

Universal Recipient

Blood group AB positive ($AB^+$), which can safely receive red blood cells from any ABO and Rh blood group.

Cold Agglutinin

An antibody, such as typical ABO IgM antibodies, that reacts best at room temperature or lower temperatures.

Isohemagglutinins

Serum antibodies directed against ABO red blood cell antigens that an individual lacks.

Agglutination

The visible clumping of red blood cells caused when antibodies bind to surface antigens to form an antigen-antibody lattice structure.

Serum

The liquid portion of whole blood remaining after spinning, containing soluble antibodies.