[Evaluation of research findings of potassium metabolism through biological modeling]

The cybernetic modelling of the water balance and the electrolyte balance has a heuristic value for the physiology and pathophysiology, by clearing up connections and open problems. This concerns problems of regulation size and regulation extension, but also the validity of reference values. Under this aspect is referred to the significance of steady state, input- and output inbalances and of the static and dynamic characteristics in the examination of the functional performance of the regulation circle. The static and dynamic compartment modelling is discussed at the instance of the potassium balance and exemplarily confirmed by findings of examinations. Here is referred to the special information value of the dynamic compartment analyse, as apart from the pool sizes (capacities) also intracorporal turnover rates (effects) are established.