Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
ABSTRACT
As a result of a scandalous love triangle, Quinn Fabray does not the who the father of her
baby is. Between Finn Hudson and Puck Puckerman, the baby could belong to either. By taking
blood samples from Quinn, Finn, Puck and the baby, it can be determined who the father most
likely is. By adding Anti-A, B, and Rh serums to each person’s blood, the possible genotypes can
be deduced. These genotypes can be compared to the baby’s, therefore determining the father.
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
INTRODUCTION
If Quinn, Finn, Puck, and the baby’s blood is tested, then Puck will be the father because
the possible genotypes of Quinn and Puck will make up the baby’s genotype. The bloodwork
mentioned earlier can help deduce the father of this baby. All blood is made of the same basic
elements, but there are eight different blood types. With the knowledge of the ABO blood group
system, what determines a blood type, inheritance of blood types, important procedures such as
blood transfusions can be performed. Blood type can be used to eliminate some possible parents
of a child.
Each and every blood type belongs to the ABO blood group system. This group
determines the four major blood groups. The four major blood groups are Group A, Group B,
Group AB, and Group O. A blood type is determined by the presence or absence of two antigens
on the surface of a red blood cell (American Red Cross). If only and “A” antigen is present, then
the blood is type A. If only the “B” antigen is present, then the blood is type B. If both are
present, then the blood type is AB. The most common type of blood is O, which means that
neither an “A” or a “B” antigen is present. When determining blood type, the Rh factor is also to
be considered. There are two different alleles for the Rh factor, which are Rh+ and Rh(University of Arizona). One of these alleles is expressed at the same time to create a complete
blood type. For example, a person’s blood can be type A+ or A-. The same option of positive or
negative for the Rh applies to all blood types.
Just as any other gene, blood type is inherited from the parents of a human. There are
three possible alleles that a parent can donate to an offspring, A, B, and O. Because each parent
donates one allele to the offspring, the combinations of possible inherited blood are OO, AO,
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
BO, AB, AA, and BB. The “A” and “B” alleles are codominant alleles, which means that they
equally share the genetic influence in a blood type. The blood type “O” is a recessive gene,
meaning that when in the presence of an A or B allele, it is over powered. Therefore, a person
with the AO alleles has blood type A (BloodBook). A parent also donates the Rh factor to
offspring. A child cannot be positive for this factor unless atleast one parent is Rh positive.
The most common application of the knowledge of blood types is blood transfusions.
Blood transfusions are used every day in hospitals to replace the injured’s blood, people
undergoing heart surgery, organ transplants, and going through cancer treatments (Edelson,
2009). The recipient of the donated blood must have the same blood type as the donor. With
exception of type O blood because it is a universally donated blood. For example, a person who
is AB+ can receive A+, B+, and O because it has both A and B antigens, as well as being able to
accept type O blood. This same rule applies to the Rh factor. A positive donor’s blood must go to
someone who is also positive for the Rh factor (American Red Cross, 200.
The knowledge that we have acquired over the years about blood has greatly deepened
our understanding of the human body and how it works. The inheritance of blood types also
furthers our understanding genetics. All of this will help benefit the process of blood
transfusions, saving more lives.
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
MATERIALS

Blood type slide

10 toothpicks

Anti-A serum

Anti-B serum

Anti-Rh serum

4 blood samples
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
PROCEDURE

Two drops of each blood sample were dropped into three different depressions.

One drop of Anti-A serum was added to one depression of each sample.

One drop of Anti-B serum was added to one different depression of each sample.

One drop of Anti-Rh serum was added to the last depressions for each sample.

A different toothpick was used to stir the serum and blood samples together for two
minutes or until agglutination was noted.

If clotting occurred when serum and sample met, then the blood sample tested positive.

Results were recorded.
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
RESULTS
Sample #
Person
A
B
Rh
ABO
Blood
Type
Rh Blood
Type
Possible
Genotypes
1
Quinn
+
-
+
A
+
IaIa, Iai
2
Puck
-
+
+
B
+
IbIb, Ibi
3
Finn
+
+
-
AB
-
IaIb
4
Baby
-
-
+
O
+
ii
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
CONCLUSION
For blood sample one, “Quinn’s blood”, there was clotting in the Anit-A serum and AntiRh serum. This means that she is A+. For sample two, there was clotting in the Anti-B serum and
Anti-Rh serum, meaning it was B+. For the third sample, there were clots in the Anti-A and
Anti-B serum, but none in the Anti-Rh serum. The third blood sample was AB-. The last sample,
the “baby’s blood”, clotted in neither the A nor B serum, but in the Anti-Rh serum. This means
that the baby is O+.
My hypothesis was correct, Finn was the father. I know this because the baby had type O
blood, which means that it had to receive on recessive allele from each parent. Quinn is able to
have a genotype with one recessive allele to pass on, so the father must also have at least one
recessive allele in his genotype. Since Finn cannot have a recessive allele in his genotype and
Puck can, Puck must be the father.
In this lab, no errors were made that affected the end result. Although, there were a few
things to consider in order to no effect the end result. It was key to not mix toothpicks, to make
sure no sample got into another sample, which would have affected the reaction to the serum.
Also, a solid two minutes should pass before the data is recorded. The full reaction may not be
evident for a couple of minutes.
Even though a blood test is not enough to prove paternities, this lab is a good way to
learn about possible genotypes. Whether it help figure out what your children could have, or
what your parents might have, this information does deepen our understanding. The overall
experimental design was very accurate, and no necessary changes had to be made.
Kathryn Wrightsman
2nd block
REFRENCES
American Red Cross, Initials. (2006, January). Blood types. Retrieved from
http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-types
Edelson, M.F. (2009, December). Blood transfusions. Teenshealth, Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/medical_care/transfusions
University of Arizona, Initials. (1997, October 23). What about the Rh factor. Retrieved from
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/problem_sets/blood