7.21B - **Biology Only** Treatments for Kidney Failure and 7.22B - **Biology Only** Urea Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is kidney failure also known as?
Kidney failure is also known as chronic kidney disease (CKD).
What are the two main treatments for kidney failure?
The two main treatments for kidney failure are transplantation and dialysis.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a type of therapy where a machine outside the body performs the action of the kidneys, filtering out urea and other waste substances.
How does blood get prepared for dialysis?
Blood is taken from a vessel in the arm and mixed with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting.
What role does dialysis fluid play in the process?
Dialysis fluid is separated from blood via a partially-permeable membrane and contains a similar level of glucose and ions as found in the blood.
What happens to urea during dialysis?
Urea diffuses out of the blood into the dialysis fluid down a concentration gradient.
What is transplantation in the context of kidney failure?
Transplantation is an alternative to dialysis where the kidney is replaced altogether.
What is a significant risk associated with kidney transplantation?
There is a significant risk of rejection of the donor kidney if specific antigens on the kidney cells do not match those of the host.
What are immunosuppressive drugs used for in kidney transplantation?
Immunosuppressive drugs suppress the immune system to prevent rejection of the donor kidney.
What is tissue typing?
Tissue typing allows us to check if an organ is compatible with the recipient before transplantation.
What is urea and how is it produced?
Urea is produced from the breakdown of excess amino acids in the liver.
