Why do blood types matter? - Natalie S. Hodge
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-blood-types-matter-natalie-s-hodge It's often said that despite humanity's many conflicts, we all bleed the same blood. It's a nice...
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It's often said that despite humanity's many conflicts, we all bleed the same blood. It's a nice thought but not quite accurate. In fact, our blood comes in a few different varieties. Our red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that binds to oxygen, allowing the cells to transport it throughout the body. But they also have another kind of complex protein on the outside of the cell membrane. These proteins, known as antigens, communicate with white blood cells, immune cells that protect against infection. Antigens serve as identifying markers, allowing the immune system to recognize your body's own cells without attacking them as foreign bodies. The two main kinds of antigens, A and B, determine your blood type. But how do we get...
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It's often said that despite humanity's many conflicts, we all bleed the same blood. It's a nice thought but not quite accurate. In fact, our blood comes in a few different varieties. Our red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin that binds to oxygen, allowing the cells to transport it throughout the body. But they also have another kind of complex protein on the outside of the cell membrane. These proteins, known as antigens, communicate with white blood cells, immune cells that protect against infection. Antigens serve as identifying markers, allowing the immune system to recognize your body's own cells without attacking them as foreign bodies. The two main kinds of antigens, A and B, determine your blood type. But how do we get...
