Question
Question: Is a blood group genetic?...
Is a blood group genetic?
Solution
Blood group is defined as the classification of blood based on the inheritance of antigenic substances on the surface of red blood cells and the antigens include carbohydrates, glycoproteins, proteins or glycolipids which depends on the system of the blood group.
Complete answer:
Blood groups are genetic as they are inherited from our biological parents in a way the genetic traits are inherited. The expression of the blood groups due to the red cell groups which act as the markers for the genes that are present on the chromosomes and a particular genetic system on a chromosome is known as locus which consists of the site of several alleles. The chromosomes are identified through the banding patterns which reveal the staining techniques and the segments of chromosomes are identified morphologically. The locus of the red cell group is found on the chromosome which further localises the particular chromosome and the amount of antigen produced depends on the genetic constitution in some blood groups systems.
The blood groups vary in frequency and are present in all human populations with the differences in frequency of some blood group genes. The A gene is the highest among Australians and Indians whereas the O gene is common throughout the world particularly among South and Central America. The B gene appears in Central Asia and Northern India. The reflection of genetic drift appears where the blood group frequencies are small and an allele can be lost from the genetic pool if the person is infertile and can increase in frequency if the advantages exist.
Note:
The O blood group is considered as the healthiest blood type due to its lowest risk for heart diseases and the people with blood group ab and b have higher rates of inflammation.