Dialysis - The artificial kidney
1. Why is dialysis such an important treatment for kidney failure?
2. Using a diagram, describe the process of dialysis as well as how the dialysis
fluid ‘cleans’ the blood.
3. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dialysis.
4. Why is dialysis treatment repeated regularly?
5. Explain the importance of the dialysis fluid containing no urea but normal blood
plasma levels of salt, glucose and mineral ions.
7. Why do you think dialysis patients can eat or drink what they like during the first
few hours of dialysis?
8. What are the main similarities and differences between a working kidney and a
dialysis machine?
9. Suggest a reason why the tubes in the dialysis machine are branched or coiled?
10. What special property does the membrane in a dialysis machine possess?
11. Name one substance that diffuses from the blood into the dialysis fluid.
12. Why do useful substances such as glucose and some mineral ions not pass out
of the blood?
13. What are the economic issues related to kidney dialysis?