Question

Explain the reason why there is opposite effect on the frequency of action potentials during initial and later phases of hyperkalemia.

Answer 1

Hyperkalemia, or elevated levels of potassium in the blood, can lead to changes in the membrane potential of nerve and muscle cells. During the initial phase of hyperkalemia, the increased extracellular potassium concentration can cause depolarization of the membrane potential, leading to an increase in the frequency of action potentials. However, during the later phase, sustained elevation of extracellular potassium can lead to membrane repolarization, decreasing the excitability of cells and leading to a decrease in the frequency of action potentials.

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