How a dialysis machine works

• What is the first step in how a dialysis machine works?

  Blood is removed and flows into the dialyzer
• Why is the dialysis fluid designed to have the same concentration of glucose and salts as normal blood plasma?

  To prevent net movement of glucose by diffusion
• What happens to excess salts in the dialysis process?

  Excess salts diffuse from the blood into the dialysis fluid
• What happens to urea in the dialysis process?

  Urea diffuses from the blood into the dialysis fluid
• How does the dialysis machine maintain concentration gradients?

  Blood and dialysis fluid move in opposite directions
• What happens to the blood and waste fluid in dialysis?

  Clean blood is returned, waste fluid is disposed
• What role does the semi-permeable membrane play in a dialysis machine?

  It separates blood from dialysis fluid
• Why is maintaining concentration gradients important in dialysis?

  It ensures effective removal of waste products
• How does the countercurrent system enhance the efficiency of dialysis?

  It maximizes the concentration gradient for diffusion