ScienceMakers Toolkit Manual - The History Makers

Antibodies - compounds produced by plasma cells that react with specifi c antigens invading a body.
Plasma - the fl uid portion of blood that contains proteins and salts, in which blood cells and platelets
are suspended.
Platelets - cell fragments in blood that cause clotting.
Proteins - essential constituents of all living things that are either made by the body or assimilated from food.
Mixing Instructions:
Creamer with Red Food Coloring to form “Type A blood”
Vinegar with Red Food Coloring to form “Type B blood”
Water with Red Food Coloring to form “Type AB blood”
Vinegar with Blue Food Coloring to form “Anti-A” (or “A Antibodies”)
Creamer with Yellow Food Coloring to form “Anti-B” (or “B Antibodies”
Using a pipette (or dropper,) put two large drops of blood (either A, B, or
AB) into each depression of the typing plate.
Using a different pipette, add a drop of Antiserum A to Depression A. At the same time, using a different pipette,
add a drop of Antiserum B to Depression B. Look for clumping—a
sign that a chemical reaction is taking place. Do not add anything
to the third depression; as it is your control.
Antiserum A has a chemical that only reacts with blood type A.
Antiserum B has a chemical that only reacts with blood type B.
If you only get a reaction from Antiserum A, you have TYPE A blood.
If you only get a reaction from Antiserum B, you have TYPE B blood.
If they BOTH react, you have TYPE AB blood, if neither react, you
have TYPE O blood.
Repeat this process for all three types of blood.
Possible Interactive Questions:
• What happened to the blood when you mixed it with the
Antiserum? Why?
• How can you use these techniques to help solve a crime?
What’s Going On?
Around 1900, it was discovered that there are at least 4 different kinds
of human blood. This is based on the fact that on the surface of the
red blood cells there may be one or more proteins, called antigens. These antigens are called A and B. Antibodies
are produced in the blood plasma against these A and B antigens and continue to be produced throughout a
person’s life.
A person normally produces antibodies against the antigens that are not present on his or her red blood cells.
For example, a person with antigen A on his red blood cells will produce anti-B antibodies, a person with antigen
B will produce anti-A antibodies, a person with neither A or B antigens will produce both anti-A and anti-B
antibodies and a person with both antigens A and B will not produce these antibodies.
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Life Science