Question 1: Define dialysis and explain its primary purpose in the human body.

Answer: Dialysis is a medical process that removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are unable to perform these functions, helping to maintain homeostasis.

Question 2: Describe the main components of a dialysis machine and their functions.

Answer: A dialysis machine includes a dialyzer (artificial kidney), blood pump, tubing system, and a dialysate fluid chamber. The dialyzer filters waste and excess substances from the blood, mimicking kidney function.

Question 3: Explain how osmosis and diffusion are involved in the dialysis process.

Answer: Diffusion allows waste products and excess salts to move from the blood into the dialysate across a semi-permeable membrane, while osmosis helps remove excess water by movement from an area of higher to lower water concentration.

Question 4: Calculate the rate of waste removal if a dialysis machine removes 150 mL of waste per hour. How much waste is removed after 4 hours?

Answer: Waste removed per hour = 150 mL Total waste after 4 hours = 150 mL/hour x 4 hours = 600 mL

Question 5: Identify two safety precautions that must be considered when using a dialysis machine.

Answer: Ensuring sterile equipment to prevent infection and monitoring the blood flow rate to avoid damage to blood vessels.

Question 6: Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes the function of the semi-permeable membrane in dialysis?

Answer: Allows waste and excess salts to pass but retains blood cells and proteins.

Question 7: Fill in the blank: The process of removing excess water from the blood during dialysis is called __________.

Answer: osmosis

Question 8: Long Answer: Discuss the advantages and limitations of using dialysis as a treatment for kidney failure. Include at least three points in your explanation.

Answer: Advantages include restoring normal blood chemistry, prolonging life, and allowing patients to lead relatively normal lives. Limitations involve the need for regular treatments, risk of infections, and high costs. Dialysis does not cure kidney failure and may cause side effects like low blood pressure or muscle cramps.

Question 9: Describe an experiment to test the effectiveness of a new dialysis membrane in removing waste products from the blood.

Answer: Set up two dialysis chambers with identical blood samples containing a known concentration of waste products. Use the new membrane in one chamber and a standard membrane in the other. Measure waste levels after a fixed time. Compare the reduction in waste levels to determine effectiveness, ensuring variables like blood flow rate and time are controlled.

Question 10: In what ways has technology improved dialysis treatment over the past 20 years?

Answer: Advancements include more efficient and compact machines, improved membrane materials for better waste removal, and automated systems that reduce human error, making treatments safer and more accessible.

Question 11: Explain how dialysis helps maintain homeostasis in patients with kidney failure.

Answer: Dialysis removes waste products, excess salts, and water from the blood, preventing toxic buildup and fluid overload. This regulation of blood composition helps maintain stable internal conditions, which is essential for homeostasis.