Membrans at work

Question 1

Membrane proteins

Answer 1

Understand pathogen dynamics, can design pharmaceuticals that block receptor sites.

Question 2

Synthetic membranes

Answer 2

Controlled delivery of medication, filtration across membranes

Question 3

Reverse osmosis

Answer 3

Contaminated water is forced through the semi-permeable membrane, fine pores in the membrane allow water molecules through but trap bacteria, salt, etc.

Question 4

Kidney function

Answer 4

Approx. 1,500 litres of blood are filtered each day, regulate solute and water content.

Question 5

Blood content

Answer 5

Blood carries oxygen, proteins, glucose, amino acids and certain ions.

Question 6

Kidney failure

Answer 6

If kidneys fail to filter blood properly, toxic waste accumulates in the blood which causes coma and then death

Question 7

Kidney transplant

Answer 7

Another kidney is transplanted into the patient from a deceased donor or a living donor.

Question 8

Kidney dialysis

Answer 8

Apparatus that filters blood through artificial membrane

Question 9

Kidney dialysis cont..

Answer 9

A patient’s blood flows through semi-permeable tubing in a salt solution. Waste molecules diffuse out while large proteins stay, and the balance of salt and water prevents loss from the blood.

Question 10

What are challenges of controlled delivery of medication

Answer 10

Providing a right dose, maintaining a constant concentration level in the body

Question 11

Transdermal patch

Answer 11

A patch aligned with a semi-permeable membrane, medication diffuses out of patch and into skin then into bloodstream.

Question 12

What types of medication are delivered?

Answer 12

Nicotine, hormones, pain killers, motion sickness

Question 13

Medication enclosed in liposomes

Answer 13

Artificial vesicles called liposomes are used to transport medication safely from one part of the body to another, anti cancer medications.