Blood transfusion set, adapted for taking blood, by Baxter labs USA, circa 1938. The combination makes up your blood type: whether you are A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ or O. Then it’s the protein mix that determines if you have a negative or positive blood type (the Rh system).

It’s the mix of sugar antigens which determines if you have A, B, O blood (the ABO system). These antigens are a mix of different sugars and proteins. Red blood cells are made of a membrane with antigens (hundreds of thousands, millions of them) attached. Red blood cells determine our blood type. Blood is made up of red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. and R.Johnson Ltd., English, 1970-1981.īefore we get into the significance of “golden blood”, it is important to understand how the most common blood groups are determined. Copy of blood-grouping tile, porcelain, made by H. While it may not grant immortal god-like powers, it has significant life-saving qualities that are extraordinary in their own right. Called golden because of its rarity and huge scientific significance – rather than its colour – it is the rarest known human blood type. Then in 1961, a person with “golden blood” was discovered. Called Ichor, this ethereal fluid was fabled to have immortal properties, but was toxic to mere mortals. In Ancient Greece, it was thought the gods had golden blood.

Blood transfusion apparatus in mahogany case, by Savigny and Co., London 19th century. Assistant Curator Katie McNab looks into 'golden blood' and a Bristol clinic brokering rare blood deals.

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