Dialysis

Definition

Dialysis is a medical process that removes waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform this function naturally. It relies on principles of diffusion and osmosis across a semi-permeable membrane.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dialysis uses a semi-permeable membrane to separate small solutes and fluid from blood, mimicking kidney function.
2. It operates on the principles of diffusion for solute movement and osmosis for water transport.
3. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
4. The rate of diffusion during dialysis can be influenced by factors such as concentration gradients, temperature, and membrane surface area.
5. In hemodialysis, blood flows through a dialyzer where it is cleaned before being returned to the body.

Review Questions

• What are the main principles behind how dialysis works?
• How does hemodialysis differ from peritoneal dialysis?
• Which factors affect the rate of diffusion in the dialysis process?

Related terms

Diffusion:

The movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis:

The movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Semi-Permeable Membrane: A type of biological or synthetic membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally specialized processes.