Blood Types

Blood Types There is more than one way of classifying blood. One system is the ABO system. Every human being belongs to one of four blood types : A, B, AB, or O. Your blood type depends on which proteins, called antigens, are on the surface of your red blood cells--A-protein or B-protein--and which antibodies are in your plasma. If your blood cells have A-protein, your blood type is A. If your red blood cells have B-protein, your blood type is B. If your red blood cells have both A-protein and B-protein, your blood type is AB. If your red blood cells have neither A-protein or B-protein, your blood type is O. Your blood plasma contains antibodies to proteins that are not present on your red blood cells. Your body will think that any red blood cells that carry proteins different from your own are foreign objects. For example, if you belong to blood group A, your red blood cells have A-protein and your plasma will contain Anti-B antibody.

If you receive a blood transfusion, you must receive blood that is compatible to yours. If blood from different groups is mixed together, the antibodies make the red blood cells stick together. Large clots form and can block blood vessels, and death can occur.

Red blood cells also carry other proteinson their surfaces. One such protein is called the Rhesus factor or (Rh). If you have this protein, you are Rhesus positive or (Rh+). If you don't have this protein, your are Rhesus negative or (Rh-). This is named after the Rhesus monkeys in which it was discovered.

The following internet sites and activities can help you learn more about blood groups.

Human Blood Types Reference
http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~bkd3019/blood.html

What is the most common human blood type?
What is the least common?

What's Your Type?
http://sln.fi.edu/biosci/blood/types.html

Who was the first person to recognize the ABO system of grouping blood. How did he figure it out?

Are You Positive Or Negative?
http://sln.fi.edu/biosci/blood/rh.html

What does it mean if your blood type is AB+?
What does it mean if your blood type is O-?
Why is the Rh factor important for pregnant women?

Blood Types Tutorial : How Are ABO Alleles Inherited By Our Children?
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/problem_sets/blood_types/inherited.html

An allele is an alternate form or variety of a gene. Each biological parent donates one of their two ABO alleles to their child. Scroll down the page to the blood type calculator. If one parent has blood type A and the other parent has type B, what are the 4 possible blood types for their children?

ABO Blood Types
http://anthro.palomar.edu/blood/ABO_system.htm

Describe agglutination. What purpose does it serve?
People of what blood type are universal donars? Why?
People of what blood type are universal receivers? Why?

Inheritance of Blood Types Tutorial
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/problem_sets/blood_types/inherited.html

If one parent is type A and the other parent is type A, what are the possible blood types of their children?
If one parent is type A and the other parent is type O, what are the possible blood types of their children?
If one parent is type A and the other parent is type AB, what are the possible blood types of their children?

Blood Types Problem Set
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/problem_sets/blood_types/blood_types.html

There are 6 possible scenarios of individuals solving blood type puzzles. See how you do. You can compare your answers to those of the blood type expert.

Bibliography

Hardie, Jackie. Blood and Circulation. Rigby Interactive Library : Crystal Lake, Illinois, 1997.

Parker, Steve. Blood. Copper Beech Books : Brookfield, Connecticut, 1997.

Parramon, Merce. How Our Blood Circulates. Chelsea House: New York, 1994.

Sandeman, Anna. Blood. Copper Beech Books : Brookfield, Connecticut, 1996.

Stille, Darlene. The Circulatory System. Children's Press : New York, 1997.

Author: LINDA MOSBACKER - Email linda.mosbacker@slc.k12.ut.us