Megha Roy Choudhury, Assistant Teacher, shares information about the Rh factor, a protein present on Red Blood Cells (RBCs), discovered in 1940 and named after the Rhesus monkey.
The Rhesus factor or Rh factor, is a protein that may be present on the surface of Red Blood Cells (RBCs). If RBCs contain the Rh antigen, they are Rh-positive, and if not, they are Rh-negative. The Rh blood group system was discovered in 1940 by Karl Landsteiner and A.S. Weiner. From its discovery 60 years ago where it was named after the Rhesus monkey. Rh factor doesn’t cause problems in our health. It only becomes important when blood types are mixed together like during childbirth. The Rh factor is one of the antigens that specialists use to determine blood compatibility. The Rh factor is important in blood donations and transfusions. For example, an Rh-negative person can only receive Rh-negative blood. Otherwise, they may experience a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
References :
Medical News Today
Trueman’s Elementary Biology by Bhatiya and Tyagi
Kuby Immunology
