Download Blood Typing Lab Handout

Name ____________________________
Hr ________
Advanced Biology II
Blood Typing Lab – Lancet Activity
Overview: In this lab, you will find out part of your blood type. Due to the presence or absence of certain
proteins in your blood cells, your blood type could be O, A, B, or AB. There is also a + or – “Rh factor” to your
blood type that is determined by a separate gene. In the lab today, you will attempt to identify both genes/traits
in your own blood. Please remember that Universal Precautions are essential in this activity, as you will be
dealing with actual body fluids that have not been treated or checked for safety in any way. Even though it’s
your own blood, please be careful. Under no circumstance should you come anywhere close to anyone
else’s blood…stay in your own area!
Procedure:
1. Begin by obtaining (from the prep area): a slide-guide card and a lancet to prick your finger. Also pick
up the safety materials you need: a glove, safety glasses, alcohol prep pad, Kleenex, and a Band-Aid.
Bring these materials first to your desk and then to an open lab station.
2. Pick up the Antibody A (blue) and B (yellow) solutions from the front table, as well as the Rh factor
solution – if there aren’t any there, wait for someone to return them.
3. Bring the serums back to your lab area. Put one drop of A onto the A part of your card, one drop of B
on the B part, and one drop of Rh solution in the +/- area of the card.
4. Put the glove on one hand, and put the safety glasses on. On the finger you will poke (un-gloved hand),
rub the alcohol prep pad on it (palm side) for 20 seconds. Allow it to dry.
5. Next, hold the lancet in your gloved hand. Prick your finger by poking it with a firm, quick stroke.
Squeeze your finger to get some blood flowing. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the Kleenex.
6. Continue “milking” your finger a few more drops of blood. Put two drops on both the A and B testing
areas of the card, and an additional two drops on the +/- area of the card.
7. Bring your lancet to the prep area to dispose of in the red “Sharps/Biohazard” container.
8. Back at your station, wipe your finger with the alcohol prep pad again, and hold the Kleenex on it for a
minute to stop any bleeding. Take your glove off so that it surrounds and holds the Kleenex. Put a
Band-Aid on your finger, whether it’s bleeding or not.
9. Put all of your waste in the special biohazard container in the prep area. Put new gloves on both hands.
10. Pick up three toothpicks from the prep area. Use them to mix each of your serum and blood
combinations (A, B, and +/-). Make sure to use a separate toothpick for each area.
11. Check for “agglutination,” which means the blood drop gets kind of clumped up, as all of the red blood
cells stick together. Record your results below (you can write “clumped” or “not clumped” if you want).
12. All cards, toothpicks, and gloves go in the appropriate biohazard container.
13. Use the table you have been given (+ stands for agglutination/clumping) to determine your blood type.
Record this in the space provided. Think about our discussions on blood type and what this means for
your blood cells and plasma. Record your antigen(s) and antibody(-ies) in the space provided.
Data:
Antibody A Reaction: ___________ Antibody B Reaction: ____________
+/- Reaction: __________
Your Blood Type: _______________
Antigens on your red blood cells: ______________
Antibodies present in your blood plasma: ________________
Do you have the Rh protein on your blood cells? __________________
Name ____________________________
Hr ________
Advanced Biology II
Blood Typing Lab – Fake Blood Activity
Overview: In this lab, you will find out the blood type of some NEO-Blood, which is a fake chemical
compound designed to exhibit the same properties as human blood. Due to the presence or absence of certain
proteins in this blood, it could O, A, B, or AB. There is another gene that gives blood a + or – “Rh factor,”
which you will also check for today. Since this alternate activity involves no hazardous fluids, all work must be
done at your own desk – do not go into any lab stations where actual blood is being drawn.
Procedure:
1. Begin by obtaining a testing tray, three toothpicks, and safety glasses. Bring these to your desk.
2. Pick up the dropper bottle of NEO-Blood, and put 2 drops of it in each of the three testing areas on your
slide-guide card (A, B, and +/-). Write the name of the blood sample on the bottle in the Data section.
3. Bring the Antibody A and Antibody B serums to your desk. Put one drop of A onto the A part of your
tray, and one drop of B on the B part. Mix each around with a separate toothpick, and check for
“agglutination,” which means the drop gets kind of clumped up. Record your results below (you can
write “clumped” or “not clumped” if you want).
4. Bring the Rh factor serum to your desk, and put a drop of it on the Rh area of your tray. Use the third
toothpick to mix, check for agglutination, and record your results below.
5. All cards and toothpicks from the activity should be thrown away.
6. Use the table you have been given (+ stands for agglutination/clumping) to determine the type of the
NEO-Blood. Record this in the space provided. Think about our discussions on blood type and what
this means. Record the antigen(s) and antibody(-ies) present in the space provided.
Data:
Name of Blood Sample: _________________________
Antibody A Reaction: ________________
Antibody B Reaction: ___________________
+/- Reaction: __________________
Neo-Blood Type: _______________
Antigens present on NEO-Blood: ______________
Antibodies present in NEO-Blood Plasma: ________________