Question

What is dialysis? What is its purpose? [3 MARKS]

Answer 1

Each point: 1 Mark

1. Kidneys are vital organs for survival. Several factors like infections, injury or restricted blood flow to kidneys reduce the activity of kidneys. This leads to the accumulation of poisonous wastes in the body, which can eventually lead to death. In this case, an artificial kidney can be used.
2. Haemodialysis is the process of removing excess water, solutes and toxins from the blood in those whose native kidneys have lost the ability to perform these functions in a natural way.
3. The concentration gradient of the materials to be removed is created in a series of tubules made up of a semipermeable membrane. The waste substances move out of the blood by osmosis.