Reflection Questions
1. Observe each sample for coagulation. Based on what you see…
a. What blood type does Individual #1 have? What is/are the possible genotype(s)
for Individual #1?
b. What blood type does Individual #2 have? What is/are the possible genotype(s)
for Individual #2?
c. What blood type does Individual #3 have? What is/are the possible genotype(s)
for Individual #3?
2. Suppose that the three samples are from two parents and their child.
a. Which individuals are the parents? Which individual is the child? How do you
know?
b. What genotype must each individual have for this scenario to be possible?
c. Draw a Punnett square using the parents’ genotypes. Circle the genotype that
belongs to the child that you have blood typed.
d. What is the percent chance that these two parents would have a child with this
blood type?
3. There is one blood type not represented in these samples.
a. What blood type is it?
b. What would you predict would happen if you added Anti-A serum to this type of
blood?
c. What would you predict would happen if you added Anti-B serum to this type of
blood?
d. Why is the genotype that codes for this blood type considered “codominant”?
Type O blood produces both anti-A and anti-B antibodies, so it will not coagulate with Anti-A or Anti-B Serum.
Lab Kit Materials
Labeled test tubes or small containers:
Individual #1 Blood Sample
Individual #2 Blood Sample
Individual #3 Blood Sample
Anti-A Serum
Anti-B Serum
Five eyedroppers or pipettes
Permanent marker
Six toothpicks or stirrers
Blood Typing Test Plate laminated or placed in a plastic sheet protector
Preparation Steps:
Each student will prepare the following supplies:
Labeled test tubes or small containers (small clear glass will work fine):
Individual #1: Dyed vinegar (this will simulate Type A blood)
Individual #2: Dyed milk (this will simulate Type B blood)
Individual #3: Dyed water (this will simulate Type O blood)
Anti-A Serum: Milk
Anti-B Serum: Vinegar
Five eyedroppers or pipettes
Permanent marker
Six toothpicks or stirrers
Blood Typing Test Plate (attached) laminated or placed in a plastic sheet protector (1 per group)
Student worksheets
Students will stir each sample using a different toothpick for each of the six samples.
Students will observe each sample to see if it has coagulated (agglutinated) or not, and determine the three individuals’ blood types based on the results
Step-by-Step Instructions (Please follow carefully)
Using a different toothpick for each of the six samples, stir each sample.
Observe each sample to see if it has coagulated (agglutinated) or not.
4. Is ABO considered a “Mendelian Trait”?
a. What is “Mendelian genetics”? How would you identify a trait that follows a
pattern of Mendelian genetics? Review the section “Mendelian Genetics” in
Chapter 3 to help you.
b. How does the ABO blood type system follow the rules of Mendelian Inheritance?
c. In what ways is the ABO blood type system more complex than the pea plant
traits that Mendel observed?
