Tag: blood types

Compound InterestExplorations of everyday chemical compounds

National Blood Donor Month: Blood type compatibilities

January 12, 2018 0Comments 1Like 228Views

January is National Blood Donor Month. If you’ve ever donated blood (or received blood from a donation) then you might have wondered why some types of blood can’t be given to some people. And what is it that makes blood types different anyway? This graphic looks at the compatibilities of different blood types, and below we’ll try to get to the bottom of what makes them different.

Halloween Special: The Chemistry of Blood

October 29, 2015 13Comments 1Like 261Views

Infographic on the chemistry of blood. The colour of blood is caused by haemoglobin, a protein found in blood which carries oxygen, and when oxygenated appears red. When deoxygenated, it's deep red. The metallic odour of blood is due to trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal. Blood types are determined by the presence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Different blood types contain different antibodies, which determine which blood types can be received in transfusions. — Click to enlarge

Fake blood is an essential accessory if you’re going for a gory Halloween look with your costume this year. There’s a lot of chemistry in the substance it sets out to mimic; we can explain the colour, smell, and different types of blood with the aid of chemistry (and some biology thrown in for good measure). Today’s graphic takes a look at each in turn.