Blood groups

Synonyms Blood, blood group, blood types English: blood group Definition The term “blood groups” describes different compositions of glycolipids or proteins on the surface of the red blood cells (erythrocytes). These surface proteins act as antigens. For this reason, non-compatible foreign blood is recognized as foreign during transfusions and leads to the formation of so-called … Blood groups

Rhesus system | Blood groups

Rhesus system Just like the AB0 system of blood groups, the Rhesus system is one of the most important blood group systems today. These are antibodies against blood components. The name comes from experiments with rhesus monkeys, through which the rhesus factor was discovered in 1937 by Karl Landsteiner. Due to the already existing A … Rhesus system | Blood groups

Duffy system | Blood groups

Duffy system The Duffy factor of the blood groups is an antigen and at the same time a receptor for Plasmodium vivax. This is the causative agent of malaria disease. Persons who do not develop Duffy factor are therefore resistant to malaria. Otherwise the Duffy system has no further important meaning. Summary The determination of … Duffy system | Blood groups

Autoantibodies

What are autoantibodies? Our body’s own defence system continuously produces the so-called antibodies, small proteins that support the immune cells in their defence against pathogens and cancer cells. Unfortunately, this system is not infallible and some people produce antibodies that make our own body cells feel foreign and threatening. This leads to the immune cells … Autoantibodies

Blood sugar

Synonyms English: blood sugar Blood sugar level Blood sugar value Blood Glucose Plasma glucose Definition The term blood sugar refers to the concentration of the sugar glucose in the blood plasma. This value is given in the units mmol/l or mg/dl. Glucose plays one of the most important roles in the human energy supply, both … Blood sugar

Blood Coagulation

Introduction Blood is responsible in our body for, among other things, the exchange and transport of oxygen, the supply of nutrients to the tissues and organs and the transfer of heat. It circulates constantly through the body. Since it is liquid, there must be a way to stop the blood flow at the site of … Blood Coagulation

Influence of medication on blood coagulation | Blood Coagulation

Influence of medication on blood coagulation Blood clotting can be influenced by various drugs. First of all, there are two large groups of drugs that are used specifically to influence coagulation. On the one hand there are anticoagulant drugs. They are also called anticoagulants. These include vitamin K antagonists (Marcumar®), aspirin and heparins. They delay … Influence of medication on blood coagulation | Blood Coagulation

Functions of the blood

Introduction Every person has about 4-6 litres of blood flowing through his veins. This corresponds to about 8% of the body weight. The blood consists of different proportions, which all take on different tasks in the body. For example, the components play an important role in the transport of nutrients and oxygen, but also for … Functions of the blood