BLOOD TYPES AND

TRANSFUSIONS

Do Now pg 97:

List all of the different blood types you

can think of.

Do you know your blood type?

Do you know which blood type is the

most common?

AgglutinationThe clumping of red blood cells following a transfusion

reaction

Antigens

Red blood surface

molecules, react with

antibodies.

Avoiding the mixture of

certain kinds of antigen and

antibodies prevents adverse

transfusion reactions

Antibodies

Protein produced mainly by plasma cells that is used by the

immune system to identify and neutralize pathogens such

as bacteria and viruses. The antibody recognizes a unique

molecule of the harmful agent, called an antigen, via the

variable region.

1901 - Austrian Karl

Landsteiner discovered

human blood groups

Even animals have blood types

Blood Type is Controlled by 3 Alleles

Alleles: A, B, O

A & B are codominant

O is recessive

4 Possible Blood Types

Genotypes

Type A = AA or AO

Type B = BB or BO

Type AB = AB

Type O = OO (universal donor)

Blood types

Why is O the “universal donor?

TYPE A TYPE B TYPE AB TYPE O

Rh Factor

A person can either be Rh + or Rh –

(positive is dominant)

http://www.chw.org/medical-care/fetal-

concerns-center/conditions/infant-

complications/hydrops-fetalis-erythroblastosis-

fetalis/

Erythroblastosis Fetalis

The Bizarre History of Blood Transfusions

1. What went wrong with the first reported blood transfusion?

2. Why weren’t animal to human blood transfusions

successful?

3. Why are blood transfusions on the decline?

Zika Spread Through Blood Transfusion in Brazil

1. How many cases of the zika virus have spread through

blood transfusions?

2. What birth defects does the zika virus cause?

Forensic Science

Blood Typing Lab Activity

T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.net/

A small pool of blood and a weapon was found near a

garbage dumpster. After examining the area, the CSI

on the scene discovered a body in the garbage

dumpster and identified him as Earnest “One-Eyed”

Earl. Earl had a wound to his chest that will be

analyzed by the medical examiner.

The CSI tested blood samples from the blood pool

and the weapon at the crime scene. It was determined

that it was human blood, but he needs to know the

blood type to help identify if it was from the victim or

the person who murdered him. He has come up with

three suspects that either knew the victim or were

seen in the area before the body was discovered. He

would like to question them further while he waits for

DNA test results.

Follow your teacher’s directions to complete the lab.

Remember to be careful to prevent cross-contamination of the blood samples!

Image: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/leb/2005/apr2005/apr2005leb_img_3.jpg

The Crime Report

What’s the type?We will be determining blood types using Anti-A

serums, Anti-B serums, and Anti-RH serums. Use the

chart to help you determine the blood type of each

sample and its Rh factor (+ or -).

Clumping = + (Positive) No Clumping = - (Negative)

Step 1: Place 2 drops of the blood sample in each of the A, B, and Rh wells.

Step 2: Place 2 drops of the anti-A serum on the blood in the A well and use

a clean toothpick to stir the serum into the A sample for a few seconds.

Step 3: Place 2 drops of the anti-B serum on the blood in the B well and use

a clean toothpick to stir the serum into the B sample for a few seconds.

Step 4: Place 2 drops of the anti-Rh serum on the blood in the Rh well and

use a clean toothpick to stir the serum into the Rh sample for a few seconds.

Step 5: Record your results (+ or -) in the correct location on your lab sheet.

Rh Serum - Clumping = Rh+ blood

No clumping

Clumping

TypeReaction w/

Anti-A Serum

Reaction w/

Anti-B Serum

A

B

AB

O

What do your results show?

What should investigators do next?

Clumping =

+ (Positive)

No Clumping =

- (Negative)