BLOOD TYPE LAB: THE ORPHANS Background Red blood cells have glycoproteins on their surface which act

like "flags" to identify the cells. The glycoproteins are coded for by the blood type genes A, B, and O. Unlike Complete Dominance where one gene totally masks another (ie. T vs. t), the blood type genes, A and B, are Co-dominant or equally dominant. Therefore, an individual with the genotype AB will possess both A-type glycoproteins and B-type glycoproteins on their RBC's. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system which attack foreign matter in the body. If A-type blood enters the body, anti-A antibodies will attack it. If B-type blood enters, anti-B antibodies will attack it. If AB-type blood enters, anti-A and anti-B antibodies will attack it. If O-type blood enters, no antibodies will attack since O-type blood cells do not have the glycoproteins on the surface. The presence or absence of the different antibodies determines which blood types can be safely received during a blood transfusion. When antibodies attack blood cells they cause the cells to "clump" or "agglutinate". This agglutination can be used as a clinical test to determine what blood type a person has. This is what you will do in the lab.

Instructions There are no real blood products in this lab 1. Obtain a clean microscope slide, a Hema-tag (with circles), and 2 toothpicks. Place the slide over the anti-A and anti-B circles on the Hematag.

2. Place 1 drop of anti-A and 1 drop of anti-B in their respective circles on the microscope slide.

3. Add 1 drop of blood from either Jane Smith, John Smith, David Smith, or Wiley Smith into the anti-A circle and add 1 drop to the anti-B circle.

4. Mix the blood and antibody solution with a toothpick scraping the toothpick against the slide in the process. Do not mix the solutions from the two

different circles and use a separate toothpick for each. Mix for a couple of minutes and observe whether or not agglutination has occured. If agglutination has occured, the solution will look somewhat cloudy and you may see particulates floating around.

Results Clumped with anti-A (yes/no) Clumped with anti-B (yes/no) Blood Type

Person Jane Smith John Smith David Smith Wiley Smith

Genotype

Questions These four orphans are trying to find their blood brothers or sisters from whom they were separated while very young. John Smith knows that his father was type B. 1. Could John have the same father as Wiley Smith?

2. Could these four orphans be related?