Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Regulation of Sodium and Potassium01:26

Regulation of Sodium and Potassium

2.9K
The regulation of sodium and potassium ion concentrations in the human body is a complex process governed primarily by hormones such as aldosterone, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).
Sodium Regulation
Sodium ions make up approximately 90% of extracellular cations, with a normal blood plasma concentration of 136–148 mEq/L. A decrease in blood volume and pressure triggers the release of renin from granular cells in the juxtaglomerular complex (JGC), primarily...
2.9K
Roles of Electrolytes: Sodium and Potassium01:24

Roles of Electrolytes: Sodium and Potassium

3.1K
Sodium plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and overall bodily homeostasis. Sodium balance is primarily regulated by kidney function, which adjusts sodium elimination to match dietary intake and maintain proper electrolyte levels. Sodium is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and is found in salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Although cellular plasma membranes are relatively impermeable to sodium, its role in...
3.1K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics01:28

Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics

2.6K
Liddle syndrome is a genetically inherited form of hypertension characterized by the overactivity of epithelial sodium channels in the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. This heightened activity leads to increased sodium reabsorption and excessive excretion of potassium. To counteract this, potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride are used. They function by blocking these sodium channels, thereby reducing the influx of sodium into the epithelial cells and minimizing the loss of...
2.6K
pH Homeostasis01:31

pH Homeostasis

12.2K
Acid-base homeostasis is essential for maintaining normal physiological activities in humans. The pH of various body fluids is strictly regulated because it is critical for the optimal activity of enzymes involved in metabolic reactions. Enzymes are basically proteins, so, any significant change in pH can affect their structure and activity. In humans, pH is regulated using three primary mechanisms— chemical buffer systems, respiratory regulation, and renal regulation.
Respiratory...
12.2K
Resting Potential Decay01:15

Resting Potential Decay

5.4K
The resting membrane potential of a neuron (-70mV) is sustained due to the selective ion permeability of the membrane. At the resting potential, the membrane is slightly permeable to ions like sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl−) and highly permeable to potassium ions (K+). Differences in the ions' concentration inside the cell compared to the outside are maintained by membrane transport proteins like channels and pumps.
At rest, the K+ is the main ion that moves across the membrane...
5.4K
Resting Potential Decay01:15

Resting Potential Decay

2.3K
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Renal Cell Carcinoma of Native Kidneys in Kidney Allograft Recipients: Are There Any Guidelines for Management?

Journal of clinical medicine·2026
Same author

Diagnosis of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Both Kidney Recipients From the Same Donor: Was It Graft Transmission?

Cureus·2026
Same author

Hypothermic Machine Perfusion Allows Safe Delay in Kidney Transplantation After Cold Storage.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026
Same author

Cardiogenic shock treated effectively by Berlin Heart implantation in a young patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Kardiologia polska·2026
Same author

Sustained low-efficiency dialysis-an old method but possibly a new solution for environmental nephrology.

Renal failure·2025
Same author

Sex-related disparities in cognitive impairment in kidney transplant patients with kidney failure.

Journal of nephrology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Making, Testing, and Using Potassium Ion Selective Microelectrodes in Tissue Slices of Adult Brain
11:20

Making, Testing, and Using Potassium Ion Selective Microelectrodes in Tissue Slices of Adult Brain

Published on: May 7, 2018

11.9K

[Potassium homeostasis].

Joanna Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska1, Ewa Wojtaszek2

  • 1Katedra i Klinika Nefrologii, Dializoterapii i Chorób Wewnetrznych, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny. jrowinska@gmail.com

Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|February 5, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Potassium is a key intracellular cation, vital for nerve and muscle function. Maintaining its concentration gradient is essential for cellular health and physiological processes.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • Potassium is the primary intracellular cation, with 80% of body stores in muscles, liver, bone, and red blood cells.
  • A steep concentration gradient exists between intracellular (140-150 mmol/l) and extracellular (3.5-5.0 mmol/l) potassium levels.
  • This gradient is critical for maintaining cell membrane resting potential and overall neuro-muscular function, including cardiac activity.

Purpose:

  • To review the physiological regulation of potassium balance.
  • To provide a foundational understanding for the study of potassium-related disorders.

Summary:

  • Potassium's role as a major intracellular cation is highlighted.
  • The importance of the potassium transmembrane gradient for cellular function, particularly neuro-muscular and cardiac activity, is emphasized.

More Related Videos

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
13:14

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers

Published on: August 22, 2014

11.2K
Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
08:11

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

3.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 3, 2026

Making, Testing, and Using Potassium Ion Selective Microelectrodes in Tissue Slices of Adult Brain
11:20

Making, Testing, and Using Potassium Ion Selective Microelectrodes in Tissue Slices of Adult Brain

Published on: May 7, 2018

11.9K
Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
13:14

Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers

Published on: August 22, 2014

11.2K
Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
08:11

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

3.1K
  • The review serves as a basis for understanding potassium homeostasis and its dysregulation.

    • Impact:

    • Provides essential background for researchers and clinicians studying electrolyte balance.
    • Enhances understanding of the physiological underpinnings of potassium homeostasis.
    • Facilitates the study and management of conditions related to potassium imbalance.