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Potassium Homeostasis

Meaning

Potassium Homeostasis is the tightly regulated physiological process dedicated to maintaining the stable and optimal concentration of potassium ions (K+) within the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments of the human body. This precise balance is fundamentally critical because the electrochemical gradient created by potassium across cell membranes is essential for numerous cellular functions. Proper homeostasis is indispensable for the correct functioning of excitable tissues, including nerve conduction and muscle contraction, particularly in the cardiac muscle. Disruptions can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.