GFR is a measure of how much blood is filtered in the Bowman's capsules of the nephrons.

A blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood, which is used to estimate the GFR.

A high level of creatinine is a signal that the kidneys are not working properly and may indicate kidney disease.

1. Renal dialysis - carries out the function of the kidneys artificially
2. Kidney transplant (renal transplant) - a healthy kidney from a donor is placed within the body to replace the functions of the failed kidneys

Haemodialysis is a type of dialysis where blood leaves the patient's body and flows into a dialysis machine, where it is filtered and returned to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis is a type of dialysis where the peritoneum, a membrane lining the abdominal cavity, acts as a surface across which substances are exchanged between blood and dialysis fluid. The dialysis fluid is injected into and then drained from the abdominal cavity.

The main risk associated with transplantation is the risk of rejection. This is when the immune system recognises the antigens on the donor organ as foreign and attacks it.

It can be reduced by matching the antigens of the donor and recipient as closely as possible, and giving the recipient immunosuppressant drugs.

Immunosuppressant drugs prevent patients from responding effectively to infectious diseases, making them more susceptible to illness.

Advantages:

1. No need for specialist equipment
2. Can be done at home by a patient
3. Patient can be mobile during treatment

Disadvantages:

1 Risk of infection

2Required more frequently

Advantages:

1. Readily available
2. Enables a relatively normal life

Disadvantages:

1 Requires regular sessions

2 Requires dietary monitoring

3 Can cause body damage in the longer term

Advantages:

1. No need for regular dialysis sessions
2. No need for dietary monitoring

Disadvantages:

1 Risk of organ rejection

2 Shortage of donor kidneys

1. Build-up of mineral ions in the blood - causes a loss of electrolyte balance and osmotic imbalances
2. Build-up of toxic urea in the blood - can poison cells
3. High blood pressure - may cause heart problems and strokes
4. Loss of calcium and phosphorous balance - weakens bones
5. Build-up of abnormal proteins in the blood - causes pain and stiffness in joints
6. Anaemia - causes tiredness and lethargy

1. Dialysis fluid contains normal plasma levels of mineral ions - ions diffuse through the partially permeable dialysis tubing membrane into blood until normal levels of ions are present in blood
2. Dialysis fluid contains normal plasma levels of glucose - glucose diffuses from dialysis fluid into blood until their concentrations of glucose are equal
3. Dialysis fluid contains no urea - urea is removed from the blood by diffusion

The protein concentration in the blood will not change as proteins are too large to pass through the dialysis tubing membrane.