Recently Added Formulas in Chemistry

· Physiological acid/base balance
· Chloride
· Magnesium
· Calcium
· Potassium

Additional Formulas

· Definition of Electrolytes
· Sodium
· Potassium
· Calcium
· Magnesium
· Chloride
· Bicarbonate
· Phosphate
· Physiological acid/base balance

Current Location > Formulas in Chemistry > Electrolytes > Potassium

Potassium

Potassium is a second major electrical cation present in the intracellular fluid and main sources of potassium in food includes milk, few vegetables, meat and whole grain. Potassium is rapidly gets excreted in the kidneys and digestive fluids too.

Important functions of potassium ions are

contraction of cardiac muscle
Transmission of nerve impulses
To regulate pH
In many biochemical activities inside the cells

Extreme high concentration of potassium in the body is called as Hyperkalemia and symptoms are
· Anxiety
· Irritability
· Abdominal cramping
· Diarrhea
· Weakness
· Burning sensation
· Death by fibrillation of heart

Extreme low concentration is called as Hypokalemia and symptoms are
· Malnutrition
· Gastrointestinal losses
· Diarrhoea
· Metabolic alkalosis

A normal blood potassium concentration is 3.5 -5.0 mmol/L.
Normal intake of potassium per day varies from 5 to 7 gm
Daily requirement of potassium in body is 1.5 to 4.5 kg