Physiology of Blood Worksheet
Student Name:
Time Estimate: 35 minutes
Background
Scientists can determine a person's blood type by adding various serums to the blood
and seeing what makes clotting occur.
The serums they add to a blood sample are
• Anti-A (Serum with antibodies against antigen A)
• Anti-B (Serum with antibodies against antigen B)
• Anti-Rh (Serum with antibodies against Rhesus factor)
If the blood clots when one of these testing serums is added, the blood has the blood
type matching the serum. For example, if anti-A is added to a blood sample and it clots,
the blood sample is either blood type A or blood type AB.
Here is a chart of serum results for all the blood types. A solid well of red blood means no
reaction and no clotting. A well with clumps of red indicates a reaction and clotting.
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Examine
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You are a pediatric hematologist at a local hospital. Multiple babies have been brought in
that need a blood transfusion quickly. There are three parents who have offered to
donate blood but do not know their type. With your knowledge of blood types, you do a
quick test to learn each person's blood type. The results come back quickly and are
shown in the table below. Your job is to interpret the results to determine which
parent(s) can donate to each baby.
Results:
Complete your blood analysis by looking for positive clotting reactions. Then, the blood
types will be determined based on these antibody reactions. Hint: Saline is your negative
control group.
Anti-A Anti-B Anti-Rh
Blood Sample Serum Serum Serum Blood Type
(Antibody-A Serum) (Antibody-B Serum) (Antibody-D Serum)
Which blood
Did it clot? Did it clot? Did it clot?
type?
Which blood
Did it clot? Did it clot? Did it clot?
type?
Which blood
Did it clot? Did it clot? Did it clot?
type?
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Which blood
Did it clot? Did it clot? Did it clot?
type?
Which blood
Did it clot? Did it clot? Did it clot?
type?
Lesson Connections
Use what you have learned from the lesson, please answer the questions below in
complete sentences.
1. Based on the results, which parent(s) can donate to Baby A, and which parent(s)
can donate to Baby B?
2. What type(s) of blood would be safe for Baby B to accept? Explain why these blood
types are compatible with Baby B’s blood type. Hint: make sure to use keywords
such as antigens and antibodies.
3. Describe what would happen if a person had B- blood and received B+ blood.
4. Doctors discover that Baby A is anemic. Using what you learned from the lesson,
explain what that means and what types of symptoms he or she may be
experiencing. Hint: review your notes from lesson 4.01.
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