Name:
Period:
Date:
Blood Typing in Transfusions and Paternity
The four ABO blood groups are determined from a single gene pair with three possible alleles: IA, IB, or i.
Since IA and IB are both expressed when they occur together, they are said to be co-dominant. IA and IB are
both dominant over i, which cannot produce red blood cell proteins. Additionally, you will either be positive (+)
or negative (-) for yet another cell antigen called Rhesus factor. The presence of this is determined by a
second gene pair. Blood typing is important in blood transfusions, paternity cases, and in criminal
investigations.
Objectives:


Simulate blood typing of the ABO blood groups
Use blood typing to solve a parent-offspring relationship case
Pre-lab:
1.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
a) Antigens are usually proteins, on the outer membrane of cells that produce an immune response
from the body and cause the production of antibodies (proteins used to tag foreign substances in
the body for destruction by white blood cells).
b) Some antigens you might be familiar with are proteins on pollen grains, pet dander, and produced
by plants such as poison ivy.
c) Proteins on the outside of red blood cells from another person might induce the production of
antibodies. Your immune system can usually tell its own blood cells from blood cells from those of
another person. If other blood cells enter your body, your immune system may already have
antibodies against them. These antibodies will work to destroy the blood cells that your immune
system does not recognize. If this happens during a blood transfusion, an acute hemolytic
reaction might occur which results in blood clots throughout the body, and the bursting of red
blood cells.
d) What is the job of red blood cells? What might happen to the body if they burst? (1pt)
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e) A blood transfusion is a process in which a person is given another person’s red blood cells
directly into their veins. During this process, ONLY the red blood cells of the donor are given.
The donor’s antibodies are removed to prevent a harmful reaction.
f) Why do some patients need receive a transfusion? (1pt)
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1
2. Fill out the information below.
Phenotype
Genotypes
A
AA or
Ai
B
BB or
Bi
AB
AB
O
ii or OO
Antigens on red
blood cells
Antibodies
floating in plasma
Visual
3. In addition to ABO grouping, blood type is also determined by an Rh factor. It was first discovered
in Rhesus monkeys!
- The presence of this protein antigen on a red blood cell indicates an Rh+ individual.
- The absence of this protein indicates an Rh- individual.
- Rh+ is completely dominant over Rh-.
a.
What are possible genotypes for somebody who is Rh+? For someone who is Rh-? (1pt)
b. What kinds of antibodies would a person who is Rh- make? A person who is Rh+? (1pt)
4. Father is type O and mother is type O. What are the possible phenotypes for their children?
5. Father is type A+ homozygous (for both genes!). Mother is type B- homozygous (for both genes!).
What are the possible phenotypes of their children? Show your work.
6. A man with type AB blood has children with a woman whose blood type is unknown. However, it is
known that both of her parents had type O blood. What is the woman’s blood type? What is her
genotype? What are the possible phenotypes of their children?
2
The Lab Procedures
Part I: Learning how to test blood types
1. During this exercise, you will observe a simulation of blood transfusions.
2. Each blood type will be donated to a person with every other blood type. REMEMBER, WHEN BLOOD
TRANSUFIONS ARE GIVEN, THE DONOR’S ANTIBODIES ARE REMOVED. ONLY RBC’S ARE GIVEN!!!!
3. On the chart below draw a “smiley” face to show a successful transfusion of blood. The patient will appear
happy and unaffected by this procedure. 
4. If the blood transfusion causes acute hemolytic reaction, the patient will appear unhappy!! 
Recipient’s Blood Type
A
B
AB
O
Donors
A
B
AB
O
1.
What patient blood type can receive any other blood type in a transfusion? From a cellular/molecular
standpoint, why is that? (1pt)
2. What blood type is known as the universal donor? From a cellular/molecular standpoint, why is that? (1pt)
3. Other than the ABO blood groups, what additional factor can cause clumping of blood during a transfusion?
(1/2pt)
4. Which blood type would be considered entirely homozygous recessive?
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Part II: Whose baby is it?
On a dark, stormy night in Pittsburgh, four newborn babies were being transferred to the nursery in a
prestigious University Hospital when a power outage occurred. In the ensuing confusion, one of the new
residents inadvertently mixed up the four newborns. Although embarrassed by the mistake, the responsible
resident reported the situation to the chief resident. You are the lab technician, which received the blood
samples taken from the parents and newborns. Through analysis of the parents and newborn babies’ red blood
cell antigens, it is now up to you to determine the parents of each of the newborns. The Rh factor is provided
to help you. Good luck!!
Whose baby is it? Data Table
Type A
Recipients
Type B
Type AB
Antibodies
present 
Baby 1
Blood Type
+
Baby 3
(from beakers)
Type O
+
Baby 2
Donors
(use droppers!)
-
Baby 4
+
Mr. Brown
+
Mrs. Brown
-
Mr. Gray
+
Mrs. Gray
-
Mr. Smith
-
Mrs. Smith
-
Mr. Jones
+
Mrs. Jones
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1. Using the phenotypes of the parents, determine what their baby’s phenotypes COULD be. Remember,
each parent has two alleles for each gene pair. For type A and type B parents, assume that they carry
the recessive allele (i), since that is a possibility. For Rh positive people, they can be homozygous
dominant or heterozygous as well!
Possible Offspring Genotypes & Phenotypes
(Show all work for the possible outcomes of the following parents.)
Mr. & Mrs. Brown
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Mr. & Mrs. Jones
Mr. & Mrs. Gray
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Part II Conclusion: Once you have determined all of the possible outcomes, determine which child belongs to
which set of parents. Record the parents below.
Parent-Offspring Relationships
Baby
Biological Parents
1
2
3
4
Applications:
1.
Suppose 2 newborn babies were accidentally mixed up in the hospital, and there was a question of which
baby belonged to which of the parents. From the following blood types, determine which baby belongs to
which parents.
Mrs. Gorilla
Type B+
+
Baby 1
Type O
Mr. Gorilla
Type ABBaby 2
Type A+
Mrs. Orangutan
Type B+
Mr. Orangutan
Type B+
2. Complete the family tree below and label the genotype(s) of each individual. People with Type AB blood
are already done! If he/she could be two different genotypes, put a “?” mark for the second allele.
A
B
A
O
A
AB
A
B
A
A
A
B
A
O
A
A
A
B
O
B
B
O
3. Janice has blood type B_. Her baby has blood type O+. Cross out males who can NOT be the biological
father. Is it possible to tell the exact paternity in this case?
Jack O-
Paulo AB+
Steven B-
Marquis A+
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Rojo A-
Samson O+