An individual’s blood type is determined by the antigens present on the surface of red blood cells. There are different blood group classification systems, the most common of which is the ABO system. In this article, we will explore in detail how a father’s and mother’s blood types can influence that of their children, based on the blood type chart.
The ABO system: The basics
The ABO system includes four main types of blood groups: A, B, AB and O. These types are determined by two specific antigens (A and B) that can be present on the surface of red blood cells:
- Group A: Antigen A only
- Group B: Antigen B only
- Group AB: Both antigens A and B
- Group O: Absence of A or B antigens
Blood group inheritance
Blood group inheritance follows the rules of classical genetic transmission. Each parent passes one gene for each antigen to their child. Therefore, a child inherits one gene from the father and one gene from the mother to form his or her own blood type.
The genes for antigens A and B are said to be codominant, meaning that they are both expressed if the individual has both genes. The O group is said to be recessive, because it is only expressed if no other genes are present.
Table of blood groups of father and mother
The table below shows how parents’ blood types can influence that of their children:
| Mother / Father Blood Group | HAS | B | AB | O |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAS | A, O | A, B, AB, O* | A, B* | A, O* |
| B | *- Group B: Antigen B only
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