Function
In excitable cells such as neurons, they shape action potentials and set the resting membrane potential.
By contributing to the regulation of the action potential duration in cardiac muscle, malfunction of potassium channels may cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Potassium channels may also be involved in maintaining vascular tone.
They also regulate cellular processes such as the secretion of hormones (e.g., insulin release from beta-cells in the pancreas) so their malfunction can lead to diseases (such as diabetes).
Read more about this topic: Potassium Channel
Famous quotes containing the word function:
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—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931)
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—Leonardo Da Vinci (1425–1519)
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—Erich Fromm (1900–1980)