Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
Anatomy & Physiology
Blood Types & Blood Worksheet
Read each statement and mark in the column if you believe the statement is True or
False. Next, read/review Chapter 10. Upon completing your reading, read each
statement again and indicate in the right-hand column what page you found the answer.
Before
After/Page
_______ 1.
Blood is the transporting fluid of the blood.
_______ 2.
Plasma is about 50% WATER.
_______ 3.
We would bleed to death from a small cut if we did not have
albumin in our plasma.
_______ 4.
Blood type O is the “universal donor” and blood type B is the
“universal recipient.”
_______ 5.
Hemoglobin helps red blood cells transport oxygen to the
cells and carry carbon dioxide away from the cells.
_______ 6.
Leukocytes are the smallest of the solid components of blood.
_______ 7.
Eosinophils phagocytize the remains of antibody-antigen
reactions and increase in number in allergic conditions.
_______ 8.
A person with type A blood can receive type B blood via a
transfusion in an emergency situation.
_______ 9.
Red blood cells are produced in the red bone marrow of all
bones until adolescence. As you grow older, they are only
produced in short and flat bones.
_______ 10. Lymphocytes make and release antibody molecules and
protect us against the formation of cancer cells.
_______ 11. Phagocytosis is the production of white blood cells in
response to an infection.
_______ 12. The average adult has 14-16 pints of blood in their body.
_______ 13. Erythrocytes (mature) contain no nuclei and only live about 3
months.
_______ 14. Monocytes help to wall off and isolate infected areas because
they can leave the bloodstream to attach themselves to
tissues.
_______ 15. Plasma helps initiate the clotting process.
Blood Types
Human beings inherit a certain blood type from their parents. The type of blood is
determined by the presence of certain factors called antigens on red blood cells.
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
An antigen is a substance, usually a protein, that causes the body to produce a protein,
called a protein, called an antibody, that reacts against it; for example, the substance
may clump cells together. An antigen may be introduced into the body or it may be
formed within it; for example, red blood cells may contain antigens. The variety of
antigens that may be present on the red blood cells have resulted in the development of
blood group systems or types. Two of the major systems are called the ABO blood type
system and the RH system.
In the ABO system, two specific antigens can be present: antigen A and antigen B. There
are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. The letters refer to the kind of antigen
present in the red blood cell of the individual. Red Blood cells are not the only body cells
with the A and B antigens. Most other cells have them also. In forensic medicine (legal
medicine,) a piece of skin or other tissue found at the scene of a crime can be typed. As a
result, the blood type of the victim (or criminal) can be determined.
Type A: contains antigen A on the red blood cells.
Type B: contains antigen B on the red blood cells.
Type AB: contains both antigen A and antigen B on the red blood cells.
Type O: contains neither antigen A nor antigen B on the red blood cells.
If an antigen is not present in a person’s red blood cells are introduced into the blood,
the individual’ will produce antibodies to destroy the foreign antigen. These antibodies
remain in the individual’s blood plasma or serum. They are specific for a particular
antigen, or act on only the antigen they were produced to act against. These antibodies
will destroy the red blood cells with foreign antigens in one of two ways. They either
cause the red blood cells to hemolyze (dissolve and go into solution releasing
hemoglobin) or agglutinate (clump together). Red blood cells carry oxygen and carbon
dioxide to maintain vital body functions, so the destruction of red blood cells can lead to
death.
If large qualities of blood are lost during surgery or in an accident, the blood volume
must be increased, or the patient can go into shock and die. A transfusion is the transfer
of blood or other solutions into the blood of the patient. Early attempts to transfuse
blood from one person to another were unsuccessful. They often resulted in transfusion
reactions, which included clotting within blood vessels, kidney damage, and death. It is
now known that transfusion reactions are caused by interactions between antigens and
antibodies.
Before anyone can receive a transfusion (transfer of blood from one individual to
another) a type and crossmatch must be performed on the blood. The blood typing
reveals the ABO, Rh factors, and other rarer blood type systems. Cross matching consists
of a series of test performed on the blood of a donor (person giving blood) and on the
blood of the recipient (receiver of a transfusion.) Usually, a donor can give blood to a
recipient if they both have the same blood type. For example, a person with type A
blood could donate to another person with type A blood. There would be not ABO
transfusion reaction because the recipient has no antibodies against the type A antigen.
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
On the other hand, if type A blood were donated to a person with type B blood there
would be a transfusion reaction. This would occur because the person with type B blood
has antibodies against the type A antigen and agglutination would occur.
Historically, people with type O blood have been called universal donors because they
usually can give blood to the other ABO blood types without causing an ABO
transfusion reaction. Their erythrocytes have not ABO surface antigens and therefore do
not react with the recipient’s A or B antibodies.
In addition to an ABO blood type, every individual has an RH type. Rh stands for rhesus
monkey, in which it was first found. In the Rh blood type system, only one factor, the D
antigen, is involved. If a person has the Rh factor or D antigen present on the red blood
cells, the blood type is called Rh positive. If the Rh factor or D antigen is not present, the
blood type is called Rh negative. Antibodies against the Rh-negative antigen do not
develop unless and Rh-negative person is exposed to Rh-positive blood. This can occur
through a transfusion or by transfer of blood between a mother and her fetus across the
placenta.
When a Rh-negative person receives a transfusion of Rh-positive blood, the recipient
becomes sensitized to the Rh antigen and produces Rh antibodies. If the Rh -negative
person is unfortunate enough to receive a second transfusion of Rh-positive blood after
becoming sensitized, a transfusion reaction results.
Rh incompatibility can pose a major problem in some pregnancies when the mother is
Rh-negative, and the fetus is Rh-positive. If fetal blood leaks through the placenta and
mixes with the mother’s blood, the mother becomes sensitized to the Rh antigen. The
mother produces Rh antibodies that cross the placenta and cause agglutination and
hemolysis of fetal erythrocytes. The disorder is called erythroblastosis fetalis and it can
be fatal to the fetus. In the first pregnancy there will be no problem. The leakage of fetal
blood is usually the result of a tear in the placenta that takes place either late in the
pregnancy or during delivery. Thus, there is not enough time to produce enough Rh
antibodies to harm the fetus. In later pregnancies, however, there can be a problem
because the mother has sensitized to the Rh antigen. Consequently, if the fetus is Rhpositive and there is any leakage of fetal blood into the mother’s blood, she rapidly
produces large amounts of Rh antibodies and erythroblastosis fetalis develops.
Prevention of erythroblastosis fetalis is often possible if the Rh-negative woman is given
an injection of a specific type of antibody preparation called RhoGAM immediately after
each delivery or abortion. The injection contains antibodies against Rh antigens. The
injected antibodies bind to the Rh antigens of any fetal erythrocytes that may have
entered the mother’s blood. This treatment inactivates the fetal Rh antigens and prevents
sensitization of the mother.
If erythroblastosis fetalis develops, treatment consists of slowly removing the blood of
the fetus or newborn and replacing it with Rh-negative blood. Exposure of the newborn
to fluorescent light is also used because it helps break down the large amount of
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
bilirubin formed as a result of erythrocyte destruction. High levels of bilirubin are toxic
to the nervous system and can cause destruction of brain tissue.
Breakdown of blood types among Americans:
33% are type O positive
33% are type A positive
15% are type A negative
8% are type B positive
6% are type O negative
3.5% are type AB positive
1% are type B negative
0.5% are type AB negative
Blood Type Review Questions
1. Mrs. Payne’s blood type is O positive. Her husband’s type is O negative. Her
newborn baby’s blood type is O negative. Is there any need for concern with this
combination?
2. You hear that your friend has been in a car accident and needs a blood transfusion;
you want to donate blood. Your friend has type O+ blood and you have A+ blood.
Can your blood be given to your friend? Explain the reason for your answer.
3. Ms. Pratt is claiming the Mr. X is the father of her child. Ms. Pratt’s blood type is O
negative. Her baby boy has type A positive blood. Mr. X’s blood is typed and found
to be B positive. Could he be the father of her child? _______ If not, what blood type
would the father be expected to have?
4. A patient comes to the doctor’s office. She is pregnant and states she is Rh-negative
and her husband is Rh positive. She has heard that there may be a problem with the
baby. Explain to her about the Rh factor and how this situation is taken care of
today.
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
Blood Typing Study Guide
1. Define antigen.
2. Define antibody.
ABO Blood System
3. Name and differentiate the four main blood types.
4. Describe the reaction that occurs when the body is exposed to antigens that are
not in their blood.
5. What two reactions will occur if a person receives a transfusion of blood with
antigens that do not match.
6. What test must be done before anyone can receive a transfusion?
7. Define donor and recipient.
8. What are universal donors?
9. How did the Rh factor get its name?
10. Describe the reactions that occurs when a Rh-negative person receives Rh
negative blood.
11. How can the Rh factor be dangerous in pregnancies?
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
Function of Blood Cells
DIRECTIONS: Circle the word or phrase that does not relate to the others and then write a
sentence which tells how the other words are related.
1.
Erythrocyte
Phagocytosis
Hemoglobin
Oxygen
2.
Thromboplastin
Fibrinogen
Platelets
Antibody
Production
3.
Neutrophils
Phagocytosis
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
4.
Carbon Dioxide
Basophils
Oxyhemoglobin
Erythrocytes
5.
Protects Against
Cancer
Forms Antibodies
Monocytes
Leukocytes
6.
Platelets
Waste Products
Excretory Organs
Homeostasis
7.
Carry Oxygen to
Cell
Protection from
Wounds and
Pathogens
Support
Blood Clotting
8.
Lymphocytes
Allergic Conditions
Malaria
Worm
Infestations
9.
Inflammatory
Response
Secrete Hormones
Antibody
Production
Immune
Defense
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
Fill in the chart as directed:
Scientific
Name
Blood Cell
Blood Cell Chart
Description and
Drawing
Normal
Amount
in Blood
Function
RED
WHITE
PLATELETS
Study Note Cards
Front
Ask me about Monocytes
1. Erythrocytes
2. Neutrophils
3. Eosinophils
4. Basophils
5. Lymphocytes
6. Monocytes
7. Platelets
8. Plasma
9. Hemoglobin
10. Fibrinogen
11. Clotting times
12. Blood types
13. Rh factor
Back
3 Interesting Facts
14. Inflammatory response
15. Coagulation
16. Erythropoiesis
17. Pints of blood in your body?
18. Universal donors
19. Diseases of the blood
Where
Manufactured
Name __________________________________ Per _____ Date ______________________
Blood Cells Creative Writing
Names of Group Members:
_______
You and your group (2-3) will be assigned a “blood cell” to write about. You will be
writing words, phrases, or sentences describing your pathogen. Each descriptive phrase
or sentence must begin with a word that starts with the same “letter” on that line. (If you
want to be creative, see if you can make your sentences rhyme!) You may use any
anatomy to complete this assignment. Your textbook is an excellent resource.
E nucleated removes the nucleus from a cell.
R ed pigment.
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