OCR A A level biology module 5 kidney failure

• What is the glomerular filtration rate


  The rate at which fluid enters the nephrons
• What are monoclonal antibodies

  Specific antibodies made from one type of cell
• What is renal dialysis

  A mechanism used to artificially regulate the concentrations of solutes in the blood
• What will kidney failure lead to if not corrected

  Death
• How is kidney function assessed

  Estimating the glomerular filtrate rate & analysis urine for substances such as proteins
• What are possible causes of kidney failure

  Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, infection
• What are the main treatments for kidney failure

  Renal dialysis & transplant
• How does haemodialysis work

  Bloody from an artery or vein is passed into a machine containing an artificial dialysis membrane
• What is added to haemodialysis to avoid clotting

  Heparin
• What is the difference between the dialysis membrane in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

  In peritoneal dialysis the dialysis membrane is the body's own abdominal membrane
• What are two advantages of kidney transplant

  Less time consuming & improved quality of life
• What are two disadvantages of kidney transplant

  Need for immunosuppressants & regular checks needed incase of rejection