Principle of Osmosis Applied to Dialysis

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Through osmosis, movement occurs from the area of high to low concentration, thereby cleansing the blood and removing excessive toxic chemicals. Strathmann (2002) further observes that the dialysis solution is also replaced to ensure that these chemicals do not flow back to the blood when the equilibrium is exceeded. As observed, the dialysis machine is able to assume the role of the kidneys by applying the same principle utilized by the kidney to filter out toxic chemicals out of the blood (Cameron, 2002). Osmosis is, therefore, a very imperative chemical process that enables the body to excrete chemical toxins and maintain a chemical equilibrium.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the body has different body organs that perform different functions to maintain stability and coordination. Without functional organs, people either fall sick or die due to organ failure. The human kidneys are very essential body organs. They are responsible for cleansing of waste chemicals that are in the blood, maintaining a chemical equilibrium, getting rid of excessive fluid, manufacturing of red blood. In addition, they are significant in the blood pressure regulation. Kidney dialysis used to treat the condition of the failed kidney was first proposed in the year 1854, by one Thomas Graham. This principle mimics the function of the kidney, by using a semi-permeable membrane to move solutes from the blood to a dialysis solution. Through osmosis, movement occurs from the area of high to low concentration, thereby cleansing the blood and removing excessive toxic chemicals.

References

Cameron, J. S. (2002). A History of the treatment of renal failure by dialysis. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Lai, K. N. (2009). A practical manual of renal medicine nephrology, dialysis, and transplantation. New Jersey: World Scientific.

Strathmann, H. (2011). Introduction to membrane science and technology. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag & Co.