Name ___________________________________________________ Bio – Block _____ Date __________
Agglutination
Agglutination
Agglutination
Agglutination
1.
In humans, blood types are characterized by the presence of antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. a.
According to Model 1, how many different blood types are found in humans? ____ b.
What shape is used in Model 1 to represent an A antigen? (draw it) c.
What is different about Type A red blood cells from Type B red blood cells?
________________________________________________________________________________ d.
How is Type A different from Type O?
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Antibody found in a TYPE A patient.
2.
Refer to the antibodies shown in Model 1. a.
How many different types of antibodies are shown? ______ b.
Draw the antibody that is produced by a person with type A blood. c.
Which antigen would the above antibody fit onto? ________________________
3.
Model 1 shows what happens when red blood cells are in the presence of both the A and the B antibodies.
When an antibody matches up (fits) with an antigen, we say they are complementary. a.
Explain what happens to the red blood cells when they are mixed with other blood types with complementary antibodies.
4.
The term agglutination is used to describe what happens to the red blood cells when incompatible blood types are mixed (this is a very bad thing… you don’t want agglutination to happen). a.
Define agglutination based upon what you see in Model 1. b.
What types of problems do you think could happen when agglutinated red blood cells travel through veins, arteries and capillaries?
READ THIS!!!
An antibody is a protein made by the immune system of an organism. Antibodies are made when the body is exposed to a foreign substance (antigens). The ability to produce antibodies protects animals from infections due to viruses, bacteria and other microbes. In the case of blood, the body recognizes other blood types as foreign (non-self). It should not make antibodies against its own antigens (self).
5.
Refer to Model 1. a.
What type of antigens should a person with Type A blood have on their red blood cells? _____ b.
What type of antigens would a person with Type A not have on their red blood cells? _______ c.
What type of antibodies would a person with Type A produce? _____ d.
What antigens would a person with Type AB have on their red blood cells? ______________ e.
Would a person with Type AB blood produce A antibodies? __ Would they produce B antibodies? ___
6.
A person with Type A blood would not normally produce A antibodies? Why is this extremely important to the person?
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7.
Suppose a person with Type A blood needs a transfusion after an accident. Blood is received from a donor.
Note that the antibodies in the donors blood are not significant. Only the antibodies in the recipient’s blood will be considered. Use the diagram in Model 1 to complete the following drawings.

You will need to draw the antigens and antibodies in each picture!!!
Draw the resulting mixture if our
Type A patient receives blood from a Type A individual.
A A
Draw the resulting mixture if our
Type A patient receives blood from a Type B individual.
A
A A
Draw the resulting mixture if our
Type A patient receives blood from a Type O individual.
A A
A
A A A A
A A
8.
Why would hospitals and blood banks need to be absolutely certain that blood is typed correctly before being used for transfusions?
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9.
In an emergency situation when the supply of blood runs short or when the need for blood is critical, which blood type could be given to anyone, regardless of the patient’s blood type? ____________ a.
This blood type is called the universal donor. Explain why. ___________________________________
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10.
Type AB, which is the rarest blood type, is often called the universal recipient. Use your knowledge from
Model 1 to explain why type AB blood can receive any blood type.
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