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.
Potassium is the major intracellular cation (intracellular K+ concentration is approximately 140 mEq/L) and is important for maintaining resting membrane potential of cells, particularly muscle and nerves. 60-75% of total body potassium is found within muscle cells, with the remainder in bone.