Kidney Transplants And Dialysis

Question 1

Why does the dialysis fluid have to have the same concentration of sugars and ions?

Answer 1

So that there is no net movement of sugar or ions out of the blood

Question 2

Why does the dialysis fluid have to be kept moving?

Answer 2

So that the concentration gradient of urea can be maintained

Question 3

Why does the tissue type of a donor kidney have to have as close to the correct tissue type as possible?

Answer 3

So that the antibodies in the immune system do not attack the antigens of the new kidney.

Question 4

How is the urea filtered out of the blood in a dialysis machine?

Answer 4

There is a very low concentration of urea in the dialysis fluid, the urea is diffused through the partially permeable membrane down the concentration gradient.

Question 5

What are the advantages of dialysis?

Answer 5

> no drugs required

> far more readily available

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of dialysis?

Answer 6

> long, regular sessions

> dehabilitating for patient, cannot go on holiday

Question 7

What are the advantages of kidney transplants?

Answer 7

> you do not need to have dialysis ( does not control life)

> you do not need to control your diet

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of kidney transplant?

Answer 8

> it requires surgery

> you must find a donor

> it may be rejected

> immunosuppressant drugs must be taken—- reduces quality of life and prone to illness