Question

Background INFO

There are four types of blood: A, B, AB, and O (Figure 4). Each is characterized by the glycoproteins (proteins with a sugar attached) and lipoproteins (proteins with a lipid attached) embedded in the surface of red blood cells (RBCs). In addition to type, blood can be rhesus (Rh) factor positive or negative. These proteins are inherited and may differ from individual to individual. If, during a transfusion, an individual receives blood with the incorrect RBC proteins (for blood type or Rh factor), these proteins may be recognized as antigens or foreign invaders. In this case, the person's immune system will produce antibodies that bind to the antigens and cause agglutination (clumping), leading to the destruction of the foreign RBCs.

THE ABO BLOOD GROUP Group A|Group B Group AB Group 0 Red blood cell type Antibodies presentA ??? Anti-B Anti-ANone Ani-B and Anti-A Antigens prešent A antigen|B antigen A and B antigens None

LAB PROCEDURE:

Blood typing is an important part of medicine. A blood sample contains both red blood cells and antibodies in it. Antigens, which are specific glycoproteins on the surface of red blood cells, can agglutinate (clump up) when a foreign antibody is present in the circulatory system. Agglutination can occur when multiple blood types, with different antigens, are mixed together because their respective antibodies will react to the foreign antigens.

In this experiment, you will view this reaction by mixing simulated blood samples and antibodies. Agglutination will occur if the antibody and corresponding foreign antigen are mixed.

PROCEDURE

1. Set up your work area and don your safety glasses, apron, and gloves. Use the permanent marker to label the 12-well plate as shown in Figure 1. The fourth column (on the far right side of the plate) will not be used.

2. Place one drop of anti-A serum in wells A1, B1, and C1.

3. Place one drop of anti-B serum in wells A2, B2, and C2.

4. Place one drop of anti-RH serum in wells A3, B3, and C3.

5. Place one drop of blood sample A into wells A1 – A3.

6. Place one drop of blood sample B into wells B1 – B3.

7. Place one drop of blood sample C into wells C1 – C3.

8. Use a clean toothpick to mix the blood sample and typing sera in each well.

9. Wait 3 minutes. Then, observe each well for agglutination, which indicates a positive result. Note that agglutination will be observable as a precipitate (clumping) when working with simulated blood samples. Don't wait too long after the 3 minutes or they may all clump.

10. Record your observations in Table 1. Determine the blood type of each sample based on the results.

11. Take a photo of your plate (the best you can) to include in your assignment.

	A (Blood Sample A)	B (Blood Sample B)	C (Blood Sample C)
1 (Anti-A Serum)	+	+	+
2 (Anti-B Serum)	+	-	-
3 (Anti-Rh Serum)	-	+	+
Blood Type	ASNWER #1	ASNWER #2	ANSWER #3

#4) What determines a person’s blood type?

#5) What type(s) of blood antigens are present on red blood cells in a person who has blood type AB-positive?

#6) What type(s) of antibodies are present in the blood plasma of a person who has blood type O-negative?

#7) Some people are called “universal donors”. What blood type can be donated to anyone, regardless of the recipient’s blood type?

Answer 1

	A (Blood Sample A)	B (Blood Sample B)	C (Blood Sample C)
1 (Anti-A Serum)	+	+	+
2 (Anti-B Serum)	+	-	-
3 (Anti-Rh Serum)	-	+	+
Blood Type	AB negative	B positive	A positive

4. Blood group is determined the presence of antigens in blood and the presence of antibodies in plasma. There are two types of antigens and antibodies each. The two types of antigens are - Antigen A and Antigen B, and the two types of antibodies are Anti-A antibodies and Anti-B antibodies.