Ion Distribution Disorders

Question 1

What are the concentrations of K+ inside the cell? What about outside?

Answer 1

K+ ion concentrations are around 155mM within the cell, while they are around 4mM outside of the cell

Question 2

What are the concentrations of Na+ ions within the cell? What are concentrations outside?

Answer 2

Na+ ion concentrations within the cell are around 12mM - outside of the cell Na+ concentrations are around 145mM

Question 3

What is a low blood level of K+ called? What about a high blood K+ level?

Answer 3

• low K+ = hypokalaemia

- high K+ = hyperkalaemia

Question 4

What is the most common cause of hypokalaemia?

Answer 4

The use of diuretics, or pills that cause urine production

Question 5

Is hypokalaemia normally mainly symptomatic or asymptomatic?

Answer 5

Asymptomatic

Question 6

What are the concentrations of Ca2+ ions within the cell? What are concentrations outside?

Answer 6

Concentrations of Ca2+ within the cell are around 1x10^-7 M - outside of the cell Ca2+ concentrations are around 1-1.5mM

Question 7

What tissue type are abnormal levels of Ca2+ in the body notably associated with?

Answer 7

Muscle tissue - particularly the heart

Question 8

What are abnormally low Ca2+ levels known as? What are abnormally high levels of Ca2+ known as?

Answer 8

Abnormally low Ca2+ is called hypocalcemia - abnormally high calcium is know as hypercalcemia