Human Kidney Flashcards
What does the kidney do
Works by filtering everything from the blood and then reabsorbs ALL the sugar, mineral ions and water needed
What does active transport ensure
That ALL sugar is reabsorbed and diffusion makes sure mineral ions and water are reabsorbed in right amounts
On a hot day with little water intake , what happens?
You produce little urine
Concentrated
On a cold day with large water intake , what happens ?
U produce lots of urine (dilute)
What does kidney failure result in
Toxins such as urea building up + salt/water balance being lost
Sometimes death without dialysis
What happens in a dialysis machine
Blood thinners prevent clotting,
Dialysis fluid containing right amounts of minerals allows blood to diffuse to normal levels
Then passed through a bubble trap to get rid of any bubbles
What happens in a kidney transplant
New kidney is placed inside the person and old kidneys left in the body
If everything goes well in a kidney transplant what will happen
It will function as a normal kidney
What bad thing could happen when getting a kidney transplant
The donors kidney may be rejected by the recipients immune system
It is hard to find donors
What is used to minimise the chances of a kidney being rejected by the recipients immune system?
Immunosuppressant drugs are used, as well as finding very close matches
Name the advantages of using dialysis
Much more readily available
Enables you to lead a relatively normal life
No risk or rejection
No need for medicine
Name advantages of having a transplant
You can eat what you like
Lead a normal life
Free from restrictions which come with regular dialysis restrictions
What is the human kidney vital for
Homeostasis
