2. in psychiatry, an unconscious defense mechanism in which unacceptable ideas, fears, and impulses are thrust out or kept out of consciousness. 3. gene r. enzyme repression interference, usually by the endproduct of a pathway, with synthesis of the enzymes of that pathway. gene repression the inhibition of gene transcription of an operon; in prokaryotes repressor binding to the operon is involved.
Physiology of Potassium Handling. Potassium (K+) is the most abundant cation in the body. About 90% of total body potassium is intracellular and 10% is in extracellular fluid, of which less than 1% is composed of plasma.
This ratio must be maintained in order to enable the proper functioning of cell membranes. 2. Potassium is influenced by factors such as insulin and epinephrine, which increase cellular uptake, and high total body potassium levels, which reduce cellular uptake. 3. Within the kidney, aldosterone stimulates the secretion of potassium and the reabsorption of sodium.