
In the case of blood cells, if your immune system recognises that foreign blood cells (i.e. Your immune system learns to ignore your own normal antigens, but when it recognises that a foreign antigen has entered the body, it releases antibodies, which attach to the foreign entity and mark it so other parts of the immune system can remove and destroy it.

Our immune system has learned to use these to help distinguish the body’s own cells (self) from foreign bodies (non-self), like bacteria or toxins. These include antigens (types of sugars and proteins) found on the surface of your red blood cells and antibodies (types of protein) which are mainly found in plasma – the liquid component of your blood.Īll cells have different combinations of markers or “antigens” on their surface.

How is blood classified?īlood is classified into blood groups according to whether certain substances are present or not.

There are several different blood groups, some of which are more common than others. Blood typing is a test done to work out which blood type you have, or which blood group you belong to.
