Blood Groups Case Study printable pdf download

Name: ___________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ___________

Blood Groups Case Study

Sunday Afternoon

It’s another beautiful day in Springfield and the Simpson family has decided to take a family

outing to the Springfield Clinic to have their blood types tested. A few pin-pricks later, they

have their information, which is summarized in the table below. (If you’ve been marooned on a

deserted island without TV reception for the past 20 years: Homer and Marge are the parents;

Bart, Lisa and Maggie are their three children.)

Complete the table.

Simpson

Blood Type

RBC Antigens

Plasma Antibodies

Homer

A-negative

Marge

B-positive

Bart

O-positive

Lisa

A-negative

Maggie

AB-negative

Monday Afternoon

The following day, tragedy strikes as Bart rushes home from school on his skateboard.

Approaching an intersection, he fails to use proper safety procedures and he careens into the

intersection without looking both ways. Before he can utter, “Ay, Caramba!” a speeding car hits

Bart, sending him flying into the air. The car doesn’t even slow down as the figure in the

passenger seat asks the driver, “Smithers, did you feel something?” Smithers shrugs and

replies, “Probably just a pothole, sir.”

Unfortunately, Bart has also failed to wear proper safety equipment and he is badly hurt in the

accident. A passerby calls an ambulance and Bart is rushed to Springfield Hospital. “Bart has

lost a lot of blood, and he’s going to need a transfusion.” Dr. Hibbert explains to Homer and

Marge. “But unfortunately, the Springfield Blood Bank has had to close because of the

governor’s budget cuts.”

Marge gasps in horror. “Oh, my special little guy! Homer and I will give blood for Bart’s

transfusion! So will Lisa!”

“No!” exclaims Lisa. “You can’t give blood to Bart! None of us can!”

“Lisa!” shouts Homer. “Bart is your brother and you love him. You’ll give him your blood for his

transfusion and that’s that! Every drop!”

“You don’t understand!” replies Lisa. “None of us can give our blood to Bart because…”

(Complete Lisa’s explanation in the space below)

Blood Groups Case Study