Yezi Cho
American Community School of Abu Dhabi
Blood types were determined by an agglutination test using anti-A and anti-B serums.
Using alcohol swabs and an automatic lancet, blood samples were collected.
A drop of anti-A serum and anti-B serum were each added to the blood samples.
Agglutination occurring with anti-A serum - blood group A
Agglutination occurring with anti-B serum - blood group B
Agglutination occurring with anti-A and anti-B serum - blood group AB
Agglutination occurring with neither serum - blood group O
People with blood type A have the A antigen on the surface of their red blood cells; they do not have anti-A antibodies. If a donor's blood of type B or AB is transfused, the anti-B antibodies of the recipient would cause agglutination.
If a blood sample is agglutinated by the anti-A serum/antibody but does not react with the anti-B serum/antibody, the A antigen is present while the B antigen is absent, meaning the blood is group A.
Blood type AB produces both the A antigen and B antigen, so the blood sample would agglutinate with both serums.
Blood type O does not produce any antigens, so the blood sample would not agglutinate with any serum.
Below are blood samples and results taken from three individuals.
Blood type O
Neither serums caused agglutination.
Blood type B
Anti-B serum caused agglutination while anti-A serum did not.
Blood type A
Anti-A serum caused agglutination while anti-B serum did not.
Blood type AB was not observed in any trials.
(Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Additionally, the anti-D serum can be used to determine whether the blood is positive or negative. Agglutination indicates a positive blood type, while having no reaction indicates a negative blood type.
All samples were disposed according to medical waste disposal guidelines.
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