Human Blood Groups Lesson
Teacher: Laura Bianco
Grade: College level
Concept: Human blood types
Subject: Anatomy & Physiology
Course Objectives (as stated in Course Syllabus):
 Explain the ABO blood groups
 Explain reactions to incompatible blood transfusions
Technology Standards:
 Understand and use technology systems
 Use simulations to explore complex systems and issues
 Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a
variety of sources and media
 Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
Materials:
 Computers for each student (20)
 Computer for the instructor
 Projector and screen
 Whiteboard or chalk board & dry erase marker or chalk
Lesson Essential Question: What are the four major human blood groups and what defines
them?
Objectives:
 Learn the properties of each blood type, including which antigens and antibodies they
contain
 Learn which blood types can safely be given during a blood transfusion
 Successfully utilize technology to enhance understanding of these topics
Vocabulary:
Antigen
Antibody
Erythrocyte (red blood cell)
Plasma
Agglutination
Pre-Test:
A 23 question assessment will be administered to the students at the beginning of the lesson. It
will include multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions related to the blood types, antigens
and antibodies in the blood, and blood transfusions.
Activating strategy:
I will introduce the topic of blood typing by describing antigens and antibodies and their
interactions with each other.
Next I will show a brief YouTube video that addresses several misconceptions about blood
types, interesting facts, and the history of blood typing. It also includes an explanation of the
major blood types using donuts as an analogy.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L06TJTMVkBo
Teaching:
1. I will begin the lesson by introducing the topic of blood typing, which will include a
description of antigens and antibodies.
2. Students will complete the pre-test.
3. Students will watch the YouTube video to capture their attention about the subject,
dispel common myths, provide background information, and describe the various blood
types using a helpful analogy.
4. Following the video, I will review the material covered by the video and will answer
any questions that students may have.
5. I will then present a lecture about the human blood types and blood transfusions, and
will allow students to ask and answer questions throughout the lecture. The lecture,
including questions and any discussions that may occur during this time, should take
about thirty minutes. Below is a brief outline of the topics covered during the lecture:
a. Human Blood Groups
i. Blood is grouped based on presence of antigens (agglutinogens) on the surface
of erythrocytes
ii. ABO blood groups based on the presence or absence of two antigens: A
and B
1. Blood type A: individual has A antigens
2. Blood type B: individual has B antigens
3. Blood type AB: individual has A and B antigens
4. Blood type O: individual has no antigens
iii. Blood plasma usually contains antibodies (agglutinins) that will react and
attack the A and B antigens if they are mixed
1. Anti-A antibody will react with the A antigen
2. Anti-B antibody will react with the B antigen
3. An individual will NOT have antibodies in their blood that will
react with the antigens that they have, but they WILL have those
that don’t
b. Transfusion Reactions: Agglutination and Hemolysis
i. A transfusion reaction occurs when mismatched blood is transfused and donor
red blood cells are attacked by the recipient’s antibodies
ii. The initial effect of this is agglutination of foreign red blood cells, which clogs
the smaller blood vessels in the body
iii. After a few hours, the clumped red blood cells begin to rupture and their
hemoglobin is released into the blood (which can cause kidney damage)
iv. Universal donor: Type O
v. Universal recipient: Type AB
Type A
Type B
Type AB
Type O
Antigens present
A
B
AB
none
Antibodies present
Anti-B
Anti-A
None
Anti-A &
Anti-B
Receive from
A or O
B or O
A, B, AB, O
O
Donate to
A or AB
B or AB
AB
A, B, AB, O
6. I will provide the students with a handout containing the chart above that they can fill in
to identify which antigens and antibodies are present in each blood type, which blood
types they can donate to, and which types they can receive blood from. They can
complete this in small groups or individually.
7. Students will use the computers in the classroom to complete the Blood Typing Game
on the Nobel Prize website. They will be given about thirty minutes to play this game.
Link to the Blood Typing Game:
http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/bloodtypinggame/
As students play this game, they can pause and go to the main menu to review the
tutorials about blood type, determining a patients’ blood type, and blood transfusions.
Students will also have the opportunity to discuss the game with each other, to ask
questions about the topic, or for me to explain a component of the topic if students
appear to be struggling with it.
8. After completion of the lesson, I will administer the post-test.
Post-Test:
A 23 question assessment will be administered to the students at the beginning of the lesson. It
will include diagram labeling, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions related to the
blood types, antigens and antibodies in the blood, and blood transfusions.