Transplants
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.3.17
Kidney Transplant
Human beings are normally born with two kidneys but can survive with one kidney. Kidney donors can survive after donating a kidney, but they do put themselves at risk of complications.
Close relative
- Many patients choose to have a kidney transplant, which often comes from a close relative. Close relatives have a higher chance of being a tissue match.
Other registered donor
- Kidneys can also be transplanted from people who have recently died, provided that they are a tissue match and have registered onto the organ donor register.
Immunosuppressants
- Patients receiving a donor kidney often have to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives.
- These drugs suppress the immune system to prevent it from attempting to destroy the foreign cells of the transplanted kidney.
Test yourself on Transplants
Why must people who receive a donor kidney take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their life?
What is required for someone to successfully donate a kidney to another person?
What risk does a person take when they donate one of their kidneys?
Why is it possible for a living person to safely donate one of their kidneys?
What would most likely happen if a kidney transplant patient stopped taking their immunosuppressant drugs?