Translations:Potassium/54/en

Biochemical function

Potassium levels influence multiple physiological processes, including

• resting cellular-membrane potential and the propagation of action potentials in neuronal, muscular, and cardiac tissue. Due to the electrostatic and chemical properties, K+
  ions are larger than Na+
  ions, and ion channels and pumps in cell membranes can differentiate between the two ions, actively pumping or passively passing one of the two ions while blocking the other.
• hormone secretion and action
• vascular tone
• systemic blood pressure control
• gastrointestinal motility
• acid–base homeostasis
• glucose and insulin metabolism
• mineralocorticoid action
• renal concentrating ability
• fluid and electrolyte balance
• local cortical monoaminergic norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine levels, and through them, sleep/wake balance, and spontaneous activity.