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Chapter 11: Problem 32

An extremely important application of dialysis is the use of artificial kidney machines to purify blood. Explain how dialysis can be used to purify blood.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Dialysis, based on the principles of diffusion and osmosis, is used in artificial kidney machines to purify blood. The machine consists of a blood pump, a dialyzer, and a dialysate solution. Blood is withdrawn from the patient's body, pumped through the dialyzer, where waste products and excess water move into the dialysate solution due to the concentration gradient across the semi-permeable membrane. Meanwhile, electrolytes from the dialysate solution diffuse back into the blood to maintain balance. Purified blood is then returned to the patient's body, effectively removing waste products and maintaining electrolyte balance.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Dialysis

Dialysis is a process where substances are separated through a semi-permeable membrane based on their ability to diffuse selectively. In the context of an artificial kidney machine (also known as a hemodialysis), this process is utilized to clean waste products, such as urea and creatinine, and to maintain a proper balance of electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium) in the blood of people whose kidneys are unable to perform these functions properly.
02

Principles of Dialysis

Dialysis works on the principles of diffusion and osmosis. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration, while osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration. In dialysis, these two processes occur across a semi-permeable membrane, which allows only certain substances, such as waste products and excess water, to pass through while keeping larger molecules, such as proteins and blood cells, inside the blood.
03

Components of an Artificial Kidney Machine

An artificial kidney machine is essentially composed of three main components: a blood pump, a dialyzer or "artificial kidney," and a dialysate solution. The blood pump keeps the blood flowing at a controlled rate, while the dialyzer acts as the semi-permeable membrane where dialysis takes place. The dialysate solution, which is continuously circulated around the dialyzer, contains a controlled balance of electrolytes that help facilitate the removal of wastes, excess water, and controlled passage of selected solutes.
04

Hemodialysis Process

During hemodialysis, blood is withdrawn from the patient's body, usually via an access point in the arm or neck, and is passed through the artificial kidney machine. Within the dialyzer, the blood flows on one side of the semi-permeable membrane, and the dialysate solution flows on the other side. Waste products and excess water in the blood diffuse across this membrane and move into the dialysate solution due to the concentration gradient. At the same time, electrolytes in the dialysate solution can diffuse back into the blood to maintain a proper balance. Once the purified blood has passed through the dialyzer, it's returned to the patient's body.
05

Purifying Blood through Dialysis

Dialysis effectively purifies blood by removing waste products, excess water, and maintaining electrolyte balance. The semi-permeable membrane in the dialyzer acts as a selective filter, allowing smaller waste molecules and excess water to pass through into the dialysate solution while retaining larger molecules and blood cells. The dialysate solution itself contains a regulated mix of electrolytes that help maintain the proper balance in the patient's blood as it's cleaned. As a result, dialysis can significantly improve the quality of life for people with kidney failure by simulating the natural processes carried out by healthy kidneys.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Consider the following: What would happen to the level of liquid in the two arms if the semipermeable membrane separating the two liquids were permeable to a. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (the solvent) only? b. \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) and solute?

What volume of ethylene glycol $\left(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}_{2}\right),$ a nonelectrolyte,must be added to 15.0 \(\mathrm{L}\) water to produce an antifreeze solution with a freezing point of \(-25.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\) What is the boiling point of this solution? (The density of ethylene glycol is \(1.11 \mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3},\) and the density of water is 1.00 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3} . )\)

Using the phase diagram for water and Raoult’s law, explain why salt is spread on the roads in winter (even when it is below freezing).

Creatinine, \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{7} \mathrm{N}_{3} \mathrm{O}\) , is a by-product of muscle metabolism, and creatinine levels in the body are known to be a fairly reliable indicator of kidney function. The normal level of creatinine in the blood for adults is approximately 1.0 \(\mathrm{mg}\) per deciliter \((\mathrm{dL})\) of blood. If the density of blood is 1.025 \(\mathrm{g} / \mathrm{mL}\) , calculate the molality of a normal creatinine level in a \(10.0-\) \(\mathrm{mL}\) blood sample. What is the osmotic pressure of this solution at \(25.0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} ?\)

For an acid or a base, when is the normality of a solution equal to the molarity of the solution and when are the two concentration units different?
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