Potassium is the major intracellular cation and is responsibility for facilitating muscular contraction.
Potassium is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and blood levels are kept in balance by kidney regulation.
Potassium is primarily stored intracellularly and is excreted in the urine and also in feces and perspiration.
Potassium plays a critical role in conducting nerve impulses and controlling the excitability of skeleton, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
It does this by regulating the:
*Resting membrane potential
*Opening of the sodium channels that control the flow of current during the action potential
*Rate of membrane repolarization
Changes in nerve and muscle excitability in serum potassium levels can produce serious cardiac arrhythmias and conduction.
A potassium deficit slows muscular contraction; thus skeletal muscle contraction and gastrointestinal smooth muscle activity are slowed.
Potassium is abundant in cardiac muscle and a deficit may result in cardiac dysrhythmias.
The role of potassium in muscle contraction
