Compatible Blood Types
*NOTE: This activity can be done in test tubes or large beakers.
Problem: Which blood types can be safely given and received in a
blood transfusion?
Materials:
 13 test tubes or
beakers
 4 test tube racks (if
using test tubes)
 food coloring
 water
Background information: Blood transfusions are the transfer of the blood or blood
products (like platelets or plasma) from one person to another. Blood transfusions can be
life saving in the case of severe blood loss due to trauma, like a wreck or head injury.
Transfusions may also be necessary for individual with certain diseases or blood disorders
like sickle cell anemia (where red blood cells are sickle shaped and cannot bind with
oxygen) or hemophilia (where blood is thin doe to lack of platelets so blood does not clot to
stop bleeding).
The person donating the blood to be transferred is called the donor and the person
receiving the blood is the recipient.
Procedure:
1. Prepare “blood”… Type A= red
Type B= blue
Type AB= purple (blue + red)
Type O= clear
2. Label four test tubes/ beakers “A”, four tubes/ beakers “B”, four tubes/ beakers “AB”
and one test tube/ beaker “O”.
3. Fill the “A” containers half full of red type A blood.
Fill the “B” containers half full of blue type B blood.
Fill the “AB” containers half full of purple type AB blood.
Fill the “O” container FULL of clear O blood.
4. Pour half of the blood from container “A” into container “B” and half into container
“AB. This would represent transfusions with type A being the donor and types B and
AB being the recipients. If the liquid changes to a new color then the transfusion is
NOT safe and your patient will die. If the color stays the same (even a lighter or
darker shade) then the transfusion is safe.
5. Observe the results and have students record them in the Data Table.
6. Repeat procedures 4 & 5 with container B into A and AB and then with AB into A &
B… make sure students record their results as you go.
7. For blood type O, pour a third of the water into A, B and AB blood types. Have
students record their results.
8. Since it is always safe to mix the same blood types and since any blood type added
to O will cause a color change, then it is not necessary to test these transfusions. Be
sure to discuss this with the students as they record this information in their Data
Table as safe or unsafe.
Donor
Type A
recipient
Type B
recipient
Type AB
recipient
Type O
recipient
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
A
B
AB
O
Data Summary:
Blood type A can be a safe donor to which blood types?
A & AB
Blood type B can be a safe donor to which blood types?
B & AB
Blood type AB can be a safe donor to which blood types?
AB only
Blood type O can be a safe donor to which blood types?
All=> A, B, AB & O
Blood type A can safely receive which blood types?
A&O
Blood type B can safely receive which blood types?
B&O
Blood type AB can safely receive which blood types?
All=> A, B, AB, O
Blood type O can safely receive which blood types?
O only
Analysis Questions:
1. Which part of the blood does blood type refer to? the red blood cells
2. What job does this part of the blood do for the body? Antigens stimulate the production of
antibodies that fight bacteria & viruses.
3. What are the 4 major types of blood? A, B, AB and O
4. What causes blood type? The type of antigens (protein markers) on the red blood cells.
5. Who is the blood donor? The person giving blood.
6. Who is the recipient? The person receiving blood.
7. Which blood type is the universal donor (can give to all types)? Type O
8. Which blood type is the universal recipient (can receive from all types)? Type AB
Compatible Blood Types
Problem: Which blood types can be safely given and received in a blood transfusion?
Background information: Blood transfusions are the transfer of the blood or blood products (like
platelets or plasma) from one person to another. Blood transfusions can be life saving in the case of
severe blood loss due to trauma, like a wreck or head injury. Transfusions may also be necessary
for individual with certain diseases or blood disorders like sickle cell anemia (where red blood cells
are sickle shaped and cannot bind with oxygen) or hemophilia (where blood is thin doe to lack of
platelets so blood does not clot to stop bleeding).
The person donating the blood to be transferred is called the donor and the person receiving the
blood is the recipient.
Data Table: Circle whether the transfusion is safe or unsafe from the donor to the recipient.
Donor
Type A
recipient
Type B
recipient
Type AB
recipient
Type O
recipient
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
safe
safe
safe
safe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
unsafe
A
B
AB
O
Data Summary:
Blood type A can be a safe donor to which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type B can be a safe donor to which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type AB can be a safe donor to which blood types? __________________________
Blood type O can be a safe donor to which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type A can safely receive which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type B can safely receive which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type AB can safely receive which blood types?
__________________________
Blood type O can safely receive which blood types?
__________________________
Analysis Questions: You may use your notes to answer these questions.
1. Which part of the blood does blood type refer to? ____________________________
2. What job does this part of the blood do for the body? _________________________
___________________________________________________________________
3. What are the 4 major types of blood? _____________________________________
4. What causes blood type? ______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
5. Who is the blood donor? _______________________________________________
6. Who is the recipient? __________________________________________________
7. Which blood type is the universal donor (can give to all types)? _________________
8. Which blood type is the universal recipient (can receive from all types)? __________