Dialysis and Kidney Function - GCSE Biology Revision

Biology Quiz - Unit 3 - Dialysis (Questions)

In GCSE Biology, dialysis is studied as a life-saving treatment that cleans the blood when the kidneys stop working properly and cannot remove waste on their own.

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Fascinating Fact:

The dialysis fluid is constantly refreshed so that diffusion gradients are maintained. This ensures that waste products continue to leave the blood efficiently.

In GCSE Biology, dialysis is taught as an artificial way to carry out some kidney functions. A machine passes a patient’s blood beside a special membrane so dissolved wastes can move out while useful substances are kept in the blood.

Key Terms

Dialysis: A medical process that uses a machine to remove dissolved waste substances and excess water from the blood when the kidneys do not work properly.
Kidney failure: A condition in which the kidneys can no longer filter the blood effectively, so harmful substances and extra fluid build up in the body.
Partially permeable membrane: A thin barrier that allows some small molecules to pass through but stops larger molecules, helping separate waste from useful substances in the blood.

Frequently Asked Questions (click to see answers)

What is dialysis in GCSE Biology?

In GCSE Biology, dialysis is described as a treatment that takes over some functions of the kidneys. Blood is cleaned by removing dissolved wastes and extra water using a machine outside the body.

How does a dialysis machine clean the blood?

In a dialysis machine, blood flows on one side of a partially permeable membrane and dialysis fluid flows on the other. Small waste molecules move out of the blood by diffusion while larger molecules stay in the blood.

What are disadvantages of dialysis compared to a kidney transplant?

Dialysis often requires long, regular treatment sessions and a controlled diet, which can restrict daily life. A successful kidney transplant can offer a more normal lifestyle but involves surgery and the risk of organ rejection.

Try These Related Quizzes

Dialysis is needed when which organ(s) fails?

[ ]	Heart
[ ]	Lungs
[ ]	Liver
[ ]	Kidneys

Dialysis removes this waste material from the blood.

[ ]	Protein
[ ]	Glucose
[ ]	Urea
[ ]	Urine

The dialysis membrane is...

[ ]	fully permeable
[ ]	partially permeable
[ ]	impermeable
[ ]	impenetrable

Dialysis relies on movement of molecules and ions by the process of...

[ ]	osmosis
[ ]	diffusion
[ ]	active transport
[ ]	urination

Urea travels from...

[ ]	patient's blood into dialysis fluid
[ ]	dialysis fluid into the patient's blood
[ ]	patient's urine into the dialysis fluid
[ ]	dialysis fluid into patient's urine

To retain glucose and ions in the blood, their concentration in dialysis fluid will be...

[ ]	the same
[ ]	higher
[ ]	lower
[ ]	It does not matter

One major problem with dialysis is...

[ ]	it is time consuming
[ ]	it makes the patient worse
[ ]	it cures the problem
[ ]	it stops working

Apart from dialysis, another treatment for kidney failure is a...

[ ]	wonder drug
[ ]	kidney transplant
[ ]	liver transplant
[ ]	surgery

A major problem with kidney transplants is...

[ ]	bleeding
[ ]	tissue rejection
[ ]	headaches
[ ]	high death rate

10.

To avoid tissue rejection, the kidney transplant patient has to take drugs which suppress which system of the body?

[ ]	Immune
[ ]	Excretory
[ ]	Respiratory
[ ]	Reproductive

Biology Quiz - Unit 3 - Dialysis (Answers)

Dialysis is needed when which organ(s) fails?

[ ]	Heart
[ ]	Lungs
[ ]	Liver
[x]	Kidneys

Dialysis is specific to the kidneys

Dialysis removes this waste material from the blood.

[ ]	Protein
[ ]	Glucose
[x]	Urea
[ ]	Urine

It also restores the balance of ions and water in the blood, but the removal of urea is extremely important as it is toxic

The dialysis membrane is...

[ ]	fully permeable
[x]	partially permeable
[ ]	impermeable
[ ]	impenetrable

Only small molecules, such as urea and certain ions, can pass out of the blood. Essential, large molecules like proteins must remain in the blood and are too big to pass through

Dialysis relies on movement of molecules and ions by the process of...

[ ]	osmosis
[x]	diffusion
[ ]	active transport
[ ]	urination

Urea will cross the dialysis membrane by diffusion because the dialysis fluid is carefully designed to create the correct concentration gradient across the membrane

Urea travels from...

[x]	patient's blood into dialysis fluid
[ ]	dialysis fluid into the patient's blood
[ ]	patient's urine into the dialysis fluid
[ ]	dialysis fluid into patient's urine

This is done by making sure that the concentration of urea in the dialysis fluid is lower than in the blood of the patient

To retain glucose and ions in the blood, their concentration in dialysis fluid will be...

[x]	the same
[ ]	higher
[ ]	lower
[ ]	It does not matter

Blood glucose concentration must be the same is in the dialysis fluid, otherwise glucose would be lost or gained from the patient

One major problem with dialysis is...

[x]	it is time consuming
[ ]	it makes the patient worse
[ ]	it cures the problem
[ ]	it stops working

The patient must remain connected to the machine for many (usually for about 4 - 6) hours and it needs to be carried out regularly, every few days

Apart from dialysis, another treatment for kidney failure is a...

[ ]	wonder drug
[x]	kidney transplant
[ ]	liver transplant
[ ]	surgery

Finding a suitable donor can be time consuming