Kidney Failure

?
How can high blood pressure affect the kidneys?
When the blood pressure is too high for a long time, this can damage the epithelial cells on the basement membrane, thus effecting ultrafiltration
1 of 15
If the kidneys are infected or affected by high blood pressure, what can this cause?
Protein in the urine (due to the basement membrane from high blood pressure or podocytes being damaged with an infection), blood in the urine (Another symptom of the filtering process not working properly)
2 of 15
Name a few things that can happen if the kidneys fail
The concentration of urea and mineral ions build up causing:Loss of electrolyte balance, build up of urea in blood & poisoning cells, high blood pressure due to kidneys not helping control it, weakened bones due to calcium/phosphorus balance lost
3 of 15
How is the glomerular filtration rate measured?
It is not a direct way of measuring GFR but by measuring the volume of creatinine (breakdown product of muscles) in the blood, you can get an estimate, if levels go up it is a sign of the kidneys not working properly
4 of 15
What natural process affects the GFR?
Age- the GFR steadily decreases as a person gets older
5 of 15
What are the 2 main types of dialysis?
Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
6 of 15
Briefly describe what haemodialysis does
Blood leave patients body and is passes through dialysis machine, blood flows through partially permeable membrane tubes (mimicking the basement membrane)
7 of 15
What does the dialysis fluid do?
The fluid contains the correct amount of plasma glucose and mineral ion levels to ensure the blood contains the correct amounts (diffusion helps this), it also contains no urea so urea diffuses out of the blood at a fast rate
8 of 15
How is a countercurrent exchange system created in the dialysis machine and why?
The dialysis fluid runs the opposite direction to the blood to maximise the rate of exchange
9 of 15
What is peritoneal dialysis?
It makes use of the natural dialysis membranes formed in the abdomen, using a catheter the dialysis takes place across the peritoneal membranes and the fluid is drained into the catheter
10 of 15
Advantages of dialysis
Readily available, peritoneal dialysis enables the patient to have a relatively normal life
11 of 15
Disadvantages of dialysis
Long-term dialysis can be expensive, have to constantly monitor diet, they need regular sessions on the dialysis machines
12 of 15
How are kidney transplants carried out?
A donor donates a kidney, usually a sudden death donor, kidneys usually donated to a person with a close tissue type, immunosuppressant drugs are used to reduce risk of rejection
13 of 15
Advantages of kidney transplant
Allows person to live normal life without monitoring diet etc, free from restrictions of sessions with dialysis,
14 of 15
Disadvantages of kidney transplant
Limited donor availability, doesn't last forever as the transplants usually function up to 9/10 years, having to take immunosuppressant drugs is a risk
15 of 15

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

If the kidneys are infected or affected by high blood pressure, what can this cause?

Back

Protein in the urine (due to the basement membrane from high blood pressure or podocytes being damaged with an infection), blood in the urine (Another symptom of the filtering process not working properly)

Card 3

Front

Name a few things that can happen if the kidneys fail

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How is the glomerular filtration rate measured?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What natural process affects the GFR?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Homeostasis resources »