Laboratory/SGD 1: Blood Typing

San Beda College of Medicine

Course: Medical Physiology
Academic Year: 2017-2018

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this laboratory activity, the student should be able to:
Accurately demonstrate how to perform ABO blood typing
Explain the basis of ABO blood typing
Determine the ABO blood type of the sample.

MATERIALS:
Anti-A Serum: it is a liquid that contains proteins called antibodies. These antibodies bind to Type
A protein markers, called antigens, if they are present on the membranes of the red blood cells.
This binding causes Type A blood cells to clump together.
Anti-B Serum: it is a liquid that contains proteins called antibodies. These antibodies bind to Type
B protein markers, called antigens, if they are present on the membranes of the red blood cells.
This binding causes Type B blood cells to clump together.
4 blood typing slides
Toothpick (for mixing blood with serum)
Disposable micropipettes
Sterile lancet
70% alcohol
Cotton balls

BACKGROUND:

Although there are roughly 26 blood groups, the most common is the ABO blood group made up of 4
blood types: A, B, AB, and O. A persons blood type depends on the type of protein marker, called antigen,
found on the cell membranes of his or her blood cells. For example, a person has Type A blood if his or
her blood cells have only the Type A protein marker. These protein markers react with specific
antibodies, which are proteins found in the immune system. These antibodies attach to the antigens and
cause the red blood cells to clump together.

In order to type blood, lab technicians use serums, which are liquid mixtures that contain antibodies.
Each serum contains a different type of antibody: Anti-A and Anti-B. We can observe the reactions
between the antigens on the red blood cells and these antibodies. This makes Anti-A, Anti-B and anti-Rh
proteins useful for determining the blood type of an unknown sample.

Type A blood has A antigens. Anti-A antibody will attach to Type A antigen.

Type B blood has B antigens. Anti-B antibody will attach to Type B antigen.

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 Laboratory/SGD 1: Blood Typing
Type O blood has no antigens and therefore neither Anti-A antibody nor Anti-B antibody will attach. Since
Type O blood has no protein markers, it can be donated to a person with any other blood type. This
makes Type O blood a universal donor.

Type AB blood has both antigens and therefore both Anti-B antibody and Anti-A antibody will attach.
Since Type AB blood has both protein markers, it can only be donated to people with the same blood
type. Because of this, a person with type AB blood can accept any blood type, making them Universal
recipients.

People with type A and Type B blood can only receive blood of their own type or Type O.

Another blood protein, known as Rh factor, is also critical in making a successful transfusion. People are
either Rh positive (RH+) and have this protein or are Rh negative (RH-) and do not have it. Anyone can
receive RH- blood without harm. However, if you are RH- and receive RH+ blood, your immune system
will make proteins that cause the RH+ blood cells to swell and burst.

Table 1. Blood types and corresponding protein markers (antigens)

ABO blood type ABO protein marker

A A
B B
AB A and B
O None
Rh factor Rh protein marker
+ Rh
- No Rh protein marker

Table 2. The possible ABO/Rh blood combinations

If you have type You can donate to You can receive from
A A, AB A, O
B B, AB B, O
AB AB A, B, AB, O
O A, B, AB, O O
If you have type You can donate to You can receive from
Rh+ Rh+ Rh+ , Rh-
Rh- Rh+ , Rh- Rh-

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 Laboratory/SGD 1: Blood Typing
Figure 1. Possible results of ABO test.
Source: http://w3.lphs.org/academics/dept/science/Mize/a&p_webpages/unit12/lab37.pdf

METHODS:

1. Obtain the anti-A and anti-B sera using a micropipette and place a drop each on two ends of a
clean glass slide. Mark these with a marking wax pencil.
2. Puncture your finger with a sterile lancet and place a drop of blood each into the two antisera.
3. Mix gently using a toothpick and tilt the slide from side to side, being careful not to mix the two
antisera together.
4. Observe for clumping (agglutination) in the two mixtures. This should occur within a minute after
mixing. Do not read after two minutes.
5. Interpret results.

RESULTS:

Blood sample Clumps in response to Clumps in response to Predicted ABO blood

(name of groupmates): Anti-A serum (yes or no) Anti-B serum (yes or no) type

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 Laboratory/SGD 1: Blood Typing
GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. What is the mechanism for the ABO blood typing reaction? Based on this mechanism, why is type
O considered the universal donor and type AB the universal recipient?

2. How is blood type inherited?

3. Complete the following statements:

The antigens of the ABO blood group are located in the _______________________

Type A blood contains antigen _______

Type B blood contains antigen _______

Type A blood contains antibody _______ in the plasma

Type B blood contains antibody _______ in the plasma

4. Answer the following questions.

What was the ABO blood type of the blood tested?

What ABO antigens are present in the red blood cells of this type of blood?

What ABO antibodies are present in the plasma of this type of blood?

If a person with this blood type needed a blood transfusion, what ABO types of blood could be
received safely?

If a person with this blood type was serving as a blood donor, what ABO blood types could receive
the blood safely?

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