1
Exercise 2 - Questions
Question 1: What determines blood type?
Blood type is mainly defined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on the surface
of the red blood cells. The primary blood group specificities are the A and B antigens. The
ABO blood group system classifies blood into four types based on these antigens. The ABO
blood group system classifies blood into four types based on these antigens:
Type A: Has A antigens on the surface of red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in the
plasma.
Type B: Has B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in the
plasma.
Type AB: Has both A and B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and no anti-A
or anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
Type O: Has no A or B antigens on the surface of red blood cells and both anti-A and
anti-B antibodies in the plasma.
Question 2: What causes agglutination? How was it observed in this exercise?
Agglutination is an interaction between the antigens on the surface of red blood cells
and the corresponding antibodies. The phenomenon of clumping or agglutination occurs
when blood containing a particular antigen comes into contact with the corresponding
antibody. This reaction is the one used to determine the blood type of an individual
Agglutination was observed by mixing a sample of blood which was photo 2 with anti-A,
anti-B, and anti-Rh sera in different wells of a blood typing tray. Each well would then be
observed for clumping:
2
Agglutination in the presence of anti-A serum indicated the presence of A antigens
(Type A or AB).
Agglutination in the presence of anti-B serum indicated the presence of B antigens
(Type B or AB).
Agglutination in the presence of anti-Rh serum indicated a positive Rh factor (Rh+).
Question 3: Based on your results recorded in Photo 3 and Panel 1, which types of blood
could the simulation individual receive in a transfusion to avoid the risk of an
antibody/antigen reaction?
The data showed that the individual had Type A+ blood (agglutination with anti-A and
anti-Rh sera but not with anti-B serum):
Type A+: Can receive Type A+, A-, O+, and O- blood.
Question 4: Based on your results recorded in Photo 4 and Panel 1, which blood types
could the simulation individual safely donate blood to?
The data showed that the individual had Type A+ blood.
Type A+: Can donate to A+ and AB+ recipients.
