GENES AND BLOOD TYPING IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

Go to the following website and answer the questions below in your own words:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/inheritance/blood/

1. Name the four different components of blood and research their function.

Component Function
a. Red blood cells Carries oxygen around the body.

b. White blood cells Fights infection.

c. Plasma Carries things such as: nutrients, protein,

hormones and vitamins.

d. Platelets Clots blood.

2. Name the molecules found on the surface of red blood cells.

Agglutinogens or anti-gens

3. What are the two types?

Type A and type B

4. Draw a labelled diagram of a red blood cell containing one of these types of
molecules.

5. What is the ABO classification system?

The ABO blood type classification system uses the presence or absence of these molecules to
categorize blood into four types.
You inherit two copies of the blood typing gene, known as alleles, which code for the
antigens on red blood cells, one from your mother and one from your father. This
combination determines your blood type. E.g. You inherit the A allele from your father
and the B allele from your mother. Your blood type is AB.

6. Complete the table below listing all of the possible combinations of alleles that can
be inherited.

MOTHER
FATHER A B O
A AA AB A

B BB BO
BA

O OO OB OO

These alleles are expressed in different ways. The A and B alleles are co-dominant,
which means both A and B antigens will be expressed on the red cells. The A and B
alleles are dominant to the O allele and is
therefore the only ones expressed when
inherited together. O Alleles are thus
sometimes called silent alleles.

7. Complete the table below, using the

information provided above and the
website.

Alleles Blood Type (Phenotype

(Genotype = = gene expression)
gene
combination)
A+A A
A+O A
A+B AB
B+B B
B+O B
O+O O

8. What are antibodies?

Proteins found in plasma recognize and attack foreign molecules that may enter from the
outside world.

9. Why is it important to match blood during a blood transfusion?

If the donor blood cells have surface molecules that are different from those of the recipient,
antibodies in the recipient's blood recognize the donor blood as foreign. This triggers an
immune response resulting in blood clotting.

10. Why are people with blood type O referred to as universal donors?

It is because they can donate blood to anyone but cant donate from anyone other
than O.

11. Why are people with blood type AB referred to as universal recipients?

Because they can accept from everyone but can only donate to other ABs

12. Use the table below to work out whether the following statements are true or
false:
a. A person with Blood Type A can receive blood from a person with Blood Type B. F
b. A person with Blood Type B can receive blood from a person with Blood Type O.
T
c. A person with Blood Type AB can receive blood from all other Blood Types. T
d. A person with Blood Type O can receive blood from a person with Blood Type AB.
F

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/basics/blood/types.cfm

Another level of specificity is added to blood type by examining the presence or

absence of the Rhesus (Rh) protein. Each blood type is either positive "+" (has the Rh
protein) or negative "-" (no Rh protein). For example, a person whose blood type is "A
positive" (A+), has both type A and Rh proteins on the surface of their red blood cells.
13. What are the most common blood types in Australia? include percentages

O+ (40%)

14. What are the least common blood types in Australia? include percentages

AB (1%)
Examining the composition of blood from a crime scene can help to convict suspects.
You will investigate this in the following practical.