What is the primary function of potassium in the body?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks about the primary function of potassium in the body, so we evaluate each option in terms of known physiological roles.
Option 1: Bone formation. While minerals contribute to bone health, potassium is not a primary driver of bone formation. Calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and osteoblast activity are more directly involved in bone synthesis, so this choice misattributes a key function.
Option 2: Enzyme activation. Potassium participates in many cellular processes, but it is not predominantly described as an essential activator of a broad set of enzymes in the way magnesium or zinc are for specific enzymes. This makes the claim overly broad and not the primary function attributed to potassium.
Option 3: Oxygen transport. Oxygen transport is chiefly the job of hemoglobin in red blood cells and to a lesser extent myoglobin, with minerals like iron playing major roles. Potassium does not play a central role in carrying or delivering oxygen, so this option is inaccurate.
Option 4: Osmotic regulation of body fluids. Potassium is a key intracellular cation that helps maintain osmotic balance, cell volume, and electrochemical gradients across cell membranes; it works alongside sodium to regulate fluid distribution and nerve/muscle function. This description aligns with potassium’s principal physiological purpose, making it the correct characterization among the options.

ANSC20002_2025_SM2 Week 4 quiz

What is the primary function of potassium in the body?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Question at position 16 The primary cation in extracellular fluid is:PotassiumSodiumMagnesiumCalcium

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

The CVP and break-even analysis are supported by a range of important assumptions. Which of the following is not an assumption of the CVP:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler