Human Blood Groups Human Blood Groups

Answers to WorksheetAnswers to Worksheet

1. What is the difference between 1. What is the difference between antigens and antibodies?antigens and antibodies?

1. Antigens are substances normally 1. Antigens are substances normally composed of proteins that stimulate an composed of proteins that stimulate an antibody response or the production of antibody response or the production of antibodies. Antibodies are special antibodies. Antibodies are special proteins that are produced in response to proteins that are produced in response to the antigens.the antigens.

2. Explain what happens when a 2. Explain what happens when a person receives the wrong blood person receives the wrong blood

type.type. . Blood types have markers known as . Blood types have markers known as antigensantigens

attached to the cell membranes of red blood cells. attached to the cell membranes of red blood cells. Individuals with type A blood have an A marker, type Individuals with type A blood have an A marker, type B have a B marker, type AB has both an A and B B have a B marker, type AB has both an A and B marker and type O has no special marker. If a person marker and type O has no special marker. If a person with type O blood is given type A blood the A marker with type O blood is given type A blood the A marker will stimulate the production of antibodies. These will stimulate the production of antibodies. These antibodies will attach themselves to the A marker antibodies will attach themselves to the A marker (antigen) and this causes clumping which will clog (antigen) and this causes clumping which will clog capillaries and prevent oxygen from being delivered to capillaries and prevent oxygen from being delivered to cells. This can cause a significant amount of tissue cells. This can cause a significant amount of tissue damage and even death if not treated.damage and even death if not treated.

3. What makes AB blood so different from 3. What makes AB blood so different from type A and B and why are they known as the type A and B and why are they known as the

universal acceptor or recipient?universal acceptor or recipient?

. Type AB blood contains both A and B . Type AB blood contains both A and B antigens so they do not produce antibodies antigens so they do not produce antibodies against these markers. Due to the fact that against these markers. Due to the fact that they do not produce these antibodies they they do not produce these antibodies they can tolerate transfusions from all four blood can tolerate transfusions from all four blood types. This is why they are known as the types. This is why they are known as the universal recipient.universal recipient.

4. Why can people with type O 4. Why can people with type O Blood only receive type O blood?Blood only receive type O blood?

. Individuals with type O blood do not have any . Individuals with type O blood do not have any markers on the surface of the red blood cells so markers on the surface of the red blood cells so therefore they will produce antibodies against therefore they will produce antibodies against both A and B antigens. This means that they both A and B antigens. This means that they cannot receive any blood that contains either cannot receive any blood that contains either antigen so the only option is a transfusion of antigen so the only option is a transfusion of type O. However due to the fact that it does not type O. However due to the fact that it does not contain any markers all other blood types can contain any markers all other blood types can also receive type O so it is known as the also receive type O so it is known as the universal donoruniversal donor

5. What is the rhesus factor?5. What is the rhesus factor?

The rhesus factor commonly known as the The rhesus factor commonly known as the Rh factor is another antigen found on the Rh factor is another antigen found on the red blood cells. It is inherited and if you red blood cells. It is inherited and if you have the factor you are considered Rh have the factor you are considered Rh positive and if you are lacking the factor positive and if you are lacking the factor you are known as Rh negative. The you are known as Rh negative. The rhesus factor is attached as a positive or rhesus factor is attached as a positive or negative to your blood type. For example negative to your blood type. For example if you are type A you will either be A if you are type A you will either be A negative or A positive.negative or A positive.

6. Explain how the Rh factor can 6. Explain how the Rh factor can affect blood transfusions.affect blood transfusions.

The Rh factor has an impact on donation mostly The Rh factor has an impact on donation mostly for those who are Rh negative. People who are for those who are Rh negative. People who are Rh positive can receive either positive or Rh positive can receive either positive or negative blood but those who are negative can negative blood but those who are negative can only receive negative blood. Our bodies do not only receive negative blood. Our bodies do not have natural antibodies against the Rh factor but have natural antibodies against the Rh factor but they can be produced in response to exposure. they can be produced in response to exposure. What this means is that if an Rh negative person What this means is that if an Rh negative person is exposed to positive blood, the first time they is exposed to positive blood, the first time they will likely be okay but the body will now will likely be okay but the body will now recognize the antigen and produce antibodies recognize the antigen and produce antibodies against it. The second exposure is when the against it. The second exposure is when the antibody response would occur.antibody response would occur.

7. What is fluosol?7. What is fluosol?

Fluosol is artificial blood that contains Fluosol is artificial blood that contains fluorine and was developed in Japan. It fluorine and was developed in Japan. It carries both oxygen and carbon dioxide carries both oxygen and carbon dioxide and has some benefits such as the ability and has some benefits such as the ability to be stored for long periods of time, no to be stored for long periods of time, no need for expensive screening tests and it need for expensive screening tests and it will not carry HIV or other viruses.will not carry HIV or other viruses.

8. Although artificial blood is not as good as 8. Although artificial blood is not as good as real blood, what is its main value?real blood, what is its main value?

The main value in Fluosol is its ability to The main value in Fluosol is its ability to buy time for the individual who needs a buy time for the individual who needs a transfusion until human blood can be transfusion until human blood can be administered. It can be very useful as a administered. It can be very useful as a supplement to those who need to undergo supplement to those who need to undergo multiple transfusions and also helps multiple transfusions and also helps prevent an overload of iron.prevent an overload of iron.

Heart ValvesHeart Valves

Path of Blood in the HeartPath of Blood in the Heart

Oxygen depleted blood enters the right Oxygen depleted blood enters the right side of the heart through the side of the heart through the inferior/superior vena cava.inferior/superior vena cava.

Blood enters the right atrium and the Blood enters the right atrium and the atrium contracts.atrium contracts.

The tricuspid valve opens and blood The tricuspid valve opens and blood enters the right ventricle.enters the right ventricle.

  The right ventricle contractsThe right ventricle contracts

The pulmonary semilunar valve opens and The pulmonary semilunar valve opens and blood enters the pulmonary arteryblood enters the pulmonary artery

The pulmonary artery carries the oxygen The pulmonary artery carries the oxygen depleted blood to the lungs where the carbon depleted blood to the lungs where the carbon dioxide is dropped off and oxygen is picked dioxide is dropped off and oxygen is picked up.up.

Oxygen rich blood now travels back to the Oxygen rich blood now travels back to the left side of heart through the pulmonary vein.left side of heart through the pulmonary vein.

  

Blood enters the left atrium and the left Blood enters the left atrium and the left atrium contracts.atrium contracts.

  The bicuspid valve opens and blood enters The bicuspid valve opens and blood enters the left ventricle.the left ventricle.

  The left ventricle contracts.The left ventricle contracts.   The aortic semilunar valve opens and the The aortic semilunar valve opens and the

oxygen rich blood enters the aorta.oxygen rich blood enters the aorta. The aorta carries the oxygenated blood to The aorta carries the oxygenated blood to

the entire body.the entire body.