How Do You Learn About The Element Potassium And Its Physiological Role In The Body?
• Potassium is an interesting metal like sodium. Both sodium and potassium are toxic to humans in the metallic form. However, both are essential for homeostasis in the ionic form. Potassium ions are as important as sodium ions in maintaining the resting electric potential across the cellular membrane. Potassium being more important than sodium. • Potassium ions are found predominantly inside the cell, while very low concentrations of it are found outside the cell. This is in contrast to sodium which is found predominantly outside the cell, while a very low concentration of sodium is found inside the cell. The driving force for this high energy process is driven by enzymes that are called ATPase. • Potassium channel blockers are used clinically in order to induce a state of continuous neurons firing and continuous muscle contraction. • Potassium is located below sodium in the periodic table. It is more reactive than sodium. Potassium has a similar outer electronic configuration as sodiu
