regulation of Potassium - C Flashcards
how much potassium in an average 70 kg person
3,500 mmol
the majority of the potassium content of the body is stored in the ________
intracellular compartment
of that contained in the intracellular compartment, the majority of the potassium is contained in _______
muscle cells
only 2% of the total potassium is in the _________
extracellular compartment
how many folds difference is there between the intracellular and extracellular compartment in terms of [K+]
30 folds
how is the 30 fold concentration difference between the intra and extra cellular compartments maintained in the body
the N+/K+ ATP pump
N+/K+ ATPase pumps _____Na+ _____ and ______K+______
3 sodium out and 2 potassium into the cell
what does the short term regulation of the potassium concentration
the N+/K+ ATP pump
what does the long term regulation of the potassium concentration
kidneys
which factors increase extracellular [K+]?
- acid base balance (also decreases) - acidemia increases potassium
- catecholamines (also decreases)
- hypoxia
- hyperosmolarity
- exercise
- alpha adrenergic agonist
which factors decrease extracellular[K+}?
- insulin
- acid base balance (also increases)
- Beta 2 adrenergic agonists
- aldosterone
what does insulin do to potassium concentration?
decrease
what does exercise do to potassium concentration?
increase
what does acid/base balance do to potassium concentration?
can both increase and decease.
Acidaemia causes increase in potassium concentration
Alkalaemia causes decrease in potassium concentration
** potassium goes where hydrogen goes and hydrogen goes where potassium goes
what does hypoxia do to potassium concentration?
increase
what does hyperosmolarity do to potassium concentration?
increase
what does use of diuretics do to potassium concentration?
it can cause a decrease in potassium concentration
what does renal failure do to the potassium concentration?
it can cause build up of potassium ions in the body
membrane potential of potassium is
around -70mV
what is the time course of potassium distribution and excretion following K+ load?
for the first 6 hours there is an endocrine mediated movement of the ions into cells
slowly the renal excretion of excess potassium takes over in regulation
what does an acute increase in potassium do to the pancreas?
it causes the secretion of insulin
what does insulin do to potassium concentrations and how?
it affects the Na+/K+ ATPase and also the glucose/Na+ co-transporter which means that more sodium ions and glucose are pumped into the cells and therefore there is a greater concentration gradient for sodium ions to go out via the Na+/K+ ATPase - so more potassium comes in to the cell and out of the extracellular compartment
why is it important to regulate the potassium concentration in the extracellular compartment?
doubling the extracellular potassium ion concentration leads to change in the membrane potential by -18mV - which is dangerous for the heart
what does an an acute increase in potassium ions do to the adrenal glands?
It causes the secretion of epinephrine and aldosterone