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6: Blood Type

  • Page ID
    25228
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    By Dr. Jennifer Doherty and Dr. Ingrid Waldron, Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, CC-BY-NC 4.0.

    In this minds-on, hands-on activity, students will learn about the genetics and immunobiology of the ABO blood type system. Students will use simple chemicals to simulate blood type tests and then carry out genetic analyses to determine whether hospital staff accidentally switched two babies born on the same day. This activity reinforces students' understanding that genes code for proteins which influence an organism’s characteristics and Punnett squares summarize how meiosis and fertilization result in inheritance. Students will also learn the concept of codominance.

    • 6.1: Blood Type Genetics Protocol
      Two couples had babies on the same day in the same hospital. Denise and Earnest had a girl, Tonja. Danielle and Michael had twins, a boy, Michael Jr., and a girl, Michelle. Danielle was convinced that there had been a mix-up and she had the wrong baby girl, since Michelle had light skin, while Michael Jr. and Tonja looked more like twins since they both had dark skin. To interpret the results of these tests, you will need to understand the genetics of blood types.
    • 6.2: Blood Type Genetics Teacher's Preparation Notes
      In this minds-on, hands-on activity, students will learn the genetics and immunobiology of the ABO blood type system. Students will use simple chemicals to simulate blood type tests and then carry out genetic analyses to determine whether hospital staff accidentally switched two babies born on the same day. This activity reinforces students' understanding that genes code for proteins which influence an organism’s characteristics.


    6: Blood Type is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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