ABO Blood Typing Lab
Name:____________________
Date ______
INTRO:
Around 1900, Karl Landsteiner discovered that there are at least 4 different kinds of human blood
based on the presence or absence of specific proteins called antigens on the surface of red blood
cells. These antigens have been designated as A and B. Antibodies against antigens A or B begin
to build up in the blood plasma shortly after birth. The antibody levels peak at about 8-10 years of
age and the antibodies remain present in declining amounts throughout the rest of life. A person
normally produces antibodies against those antigens that are not on his or her red blood cells.
Thus, a person with antigen A has anti-B antibodies; a person with B antigens has anti-A
antibodies. The individual’s blood type is based on the ANTIGENS not the antibodies they have.
Table 1: ABO System
Blood type
Antigens on
RBC
Antibodies in
plasma
Can GIVE
blood to:
A
B
AB
A
B
A and B
A, AB
B, AB
AB
O
Neither A nor
B
Anti-B
Anti-A
Neither anti-A
nor anti-B
Both anti-A
and anti-B
Can
RECEIVE
blood from:
O, A
O, B
O, A, B, AB
O, A, B, AB
O
Process of Agglutination:
Blood typing is performed with antiserum containing high levels of anti-A and anti-B antibodies. If a
reaction occurs, the blood will clump (agglutinate) together.
Consider the following:
1. An unknown blood type is being identified. When antibody serum was added the following
reactions occurred:
a. Blood + anti A = no clotting
b. Blood + anti B = clotting
What was the unknown blood type?_____________
2. An unknown blood type is being identified. When an antibody serum was added the
following reactions occurred:
a. Blood + anti A = clotting
b. Blood + anti B = clotting
What was the unknown blood type?_____________
LAB:
ABO Blood Typing Lab
Name:____________________
Date ______
Objective: to determine the ABO blood type of 4 unknown simulated blood samples
Materials:
 Blood typing slide
 Toothpicks
Shared Materials:
 5 unknown simulated blood samples
o Persons V, W, X, Y, Z
 Anti-A Serum
 Anti-B Serum
Procedure:
1. Pre-Label each of your 4 blood typing slides as follows:
a. Person V
b. Person W
c. Person X
d. Person Y
e. Person Z
2. Place 3-4 drops of Person V blood in each of the A, B wells of slide #1
3. Place 3-4 drops of Person W blood in each of the A, B wells of slide # 2
4. Place 3-4 drops of Person X blood in each of the A, B wells of slide # 3
5. Place 3-4 drops of Person Y blood in each of the A, B wells of slide # 4
6. Place 3-4 drops of Person Z blood in each of the A, B wells of slide # 5
7. Add 3-4 drops of the anti-A serum in each A well on the four slides.
8. Add 3-4 drops of the anti-B serum in each B well on the four slides.
9. Use separate toothpicks to stir each sample of serum and blood. RECORD your
observations and results in the table below.
Table 2: Agglutination Reactions
Anti-A serum
Anti-B serum
Blood Type
Observations
Person V
Person W
Person X
Person Y
Person Z
(a positive test is indicated by a strong agglutination (clumping) reaction)
Analysis of Results:
1. What ABO antigens are present on the red blood cells of Person W’s blood?
ABO Blood Typing Lab
Name:____________________
Date ______
2. What ABO antibodies are present in the plasma of Person X’s blood?
3. What ABO antibodies are present in the plasma of Person Z’s blood?
4. If Person X needed a transfusion, what ABO type(s) of blood could he receive?
5. If Person Y were serving as a donor, what ABO blood type(s) could receive her blood
safely?
6. Why is it necessary to match the donor’s and the recipient’s blood before a transfusion is
given?
7. What is the difference between an antigen and an antibody?
8. Explain the basis of ABO blood types.
9. Could a man with AB blood be the father of an O child?
10. Could a man with O blood type be the father of an AB child?
11. Could a Type B child with a Type A mother have a Type A father?
12. What are the possible genetic combinations of an offspring when the blood types of the
parents are A and B?