The A antigen (the protein that makes A blood A blood) is embedded in the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. Blood group A individuals will automatically carry antibodies (proteins that are in the blood plasma-liquid part of blood) that will attack blood group B cells. Blood group B individuals will carry antibodies that will attack blood group A cells. Blood group O individuals, lacking either of the A or B antigens will carry BOTH types of antibodies and will attack either A or B cells. When there is a transfusion with incompatible blood groups, cells can clump creating blockages in arteries throughout the body. Other pathways can lead to the lysing of RBCâs which will release their contents into the bloodstream elevating these component in the blood which can have sever effects on the heart (potassium primarily-in case you are interested).

Remember, the Rh is a typical one gene, two allele scenario. Rh+ blood can accept Rh+ or Rh- blood. A person with Rh- blood can only receive Rh- blood. Unlike ABO where an individual manufactures the antibody to an antigen they lack without prior exposure, the Rh factor requires previous exposure to illicit an immune response. If a Rh- person is exposed to Rh+ blood, the individual will create the antibody against the Rh antigen. Now, if Rh+ blood is introduced into this individual again, the recipientâs blood contains anti-Rh antibodies and will attack the Rh+ cells-Bad news for the recipient. This is the same thing that happens with an Rh- mom who gets pregnant with an Rh+ baby. By the time the first Rh+ baby is born and blood mixing may have occurred during late pregnancy (small breaks in the placenta can cause some of babyâs blood to mix with that of mom), first baby escapes unharmed. Subsequent babies arenât so lucky.

If there are small tears in the placenta (which are normal), momâs anti Rh antibodies can go in and attack the Rh+ babyâs blood. This can kill the baby. Now, Rh- moms are given a substance that will coat the babyâs RBCâ; kind of like putting them into stealth mode so they canât be seen by momâs immune system. Later-poof, out pops unaffected baby.

1. What blood type(s) can be given to an A positive individual?

2. If you have B negative blood, what blood types can you receive?

3. What blood types can an O negative receive? O positive?

4. If a man is blood group B and his wife is blood group A what blood type(s) are you 100% sure they could produce in their children?

5. If you have a blood group O father and a blood group B mother, can they produce an O child? Explain your answer.

6. You have a male friend who is blood group AB. He is successful in business but knows very little about biology. His wife just had an O child. Knowing that you have been studying the genetics of blood groups, he asks you for an education on blood groups. What do you think about this situation?

7. A woman is AB and her husband is A. They have a B child. What are all the blood groups possible in their children if he is heterozygous?

8. A woman is Rh- and her husband is Rh+. Their first baby is Rh-. What is the genotype, with respect to Rh, of the parents? What is the probability their next child will be Rh+? Does the woman have to worry about any issues with future children? Explain!

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a tool that has been very useful in identifying what parts of the brain do what. Scientists can have a person perform some particular activity and then look for active areas in the brain. How does fMRI work?

	A.	It takes a picture of the inside of the brain according to electricity levels. The more electrical current in the area, the more active it is.
	B.	It takes a picture of the inside of the brain according to blood flow. More blood flow indicates more activity in that area.
	C.	It takes images of thin layers of the brain and the more electrical activity in a layer, the more magnetic it is and this shows up in fMRI.
	D.	Electrodes attached to the skull can trigger activity in particular brain areas which then trigger a person to perform certain behaviors.
	E.	It takes a picture of the brain according to oxygen levels. More oxygen in an area indicates more activity in that area.

The strategy of vaccination to fight diseases uses what type of immunity?

	A.	Non-specific immunity
	B.	Cell-mediated immunity
	C.	Natural immunity
	D.	Specific immunity
	E.	Passive immunity

If you came into contact with Vibrio, what defense do you have to keep it from even getting to your intestines?

	A.	Your skin is an effective barrier against bacteria you come in contact with.
	B.	Antimicrobial enzymes in saliva
	C.	Acid in the stomach
	D.	Mucous membranes in the digestive and respiratory tract
	E.	All of the above

What do B cells do when they identify a pathogen?

	A.	Engulf and eat it
	B.	Kill it
	C.	Produce antigens to bind to the pathogen and memory cells to guard against future infection.
	D.	Produce antibodies to bind to the pathogen and memory cells to guard against future infection.
	E.	Engage helper T cells to fight the infection

There are chemical signals that call on non-infected cells to help fight a virus. Which are they?

	A.	Complement proteins
	B.	Macrophages
	C.	B cells
	D.	Interferons
	E.	Natural killer cells

When someone gets a bone marrow transplant, they have to be quarantined and carefully protected from pathogens for a period of time afterward. Why?

	A.	Bone marrow produces the main cells involved in the specific immune response, so these patients are at special risk of infection until they build up enough marrow to produce sufficient cells.
	B.	Bone marrow produces blood cells, so they have insufficient circulation for a period of time so their immune system lacks the energy to fight off any infection.
	C.	Anytime a foreign substance, even someone else's bone marrow, is introduced to a body, there is an extra risk of infection.
	D.	A common complication of bone marrow transplants is infection, and doctor's don't want the infection to spread to others.
	E.	It's a traumatic procedure, and any extra stress on their body could kill them.