| potassium | <chemistry> An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined, as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium). It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal, lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its compounds are very important, being used in glass making, soap making, in fertilisers, and in many drugs and chemicals. Potassium permanganate, the salt KMnO4, crystallizing in dark red prisms having a greenish surface colour, and dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red colour; used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name chameleon mineral is applied to this salt and also to potassium manganate. Potassium bitartrate. See Cream of tartar. Origin: NL. See Potassa, Potash. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| potassium-40 | A naturally occurring (0.0117%) radioactive potassium isotope; beta emitter with half-life of 1.26 billion years; chief source of natural radioactivity of living tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium-42 | An artificial potassium isotope; beta emitter with half-life of 12.36 hr, used as a tracer in studies of potassium distribution in body fluid compartments and in localization of brain tumours. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium-43 | An artificial potassium isotope; a beta emitter with a half-life of 22.3 hr, used as a tracer in myocardial perfusion studies. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium acetate | An electrolyte replenisher, as well as a urinary and systemic alkaliser, which can be administered orally or by intravenous infusion. Formerly, it was used as a diuretic and expectorant. (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium alum | AlK(SO4)2;an astringent and styptic; also used in veterinary medicine for ulcerative stomatitis, leukorrhoea, and conjunctivitis. Synonym: potassium alum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium aminosalicylate | See: p-aminosalicylic acid. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium antimonyltartrate | <chemical> Bis(mu-(2,3-dihydroxybutanedioato(4-)-o(1),o(2):o(3),o(4)))diantimonate(2-) dipotassium trihydrate, stereoisomer. A schistosomicide possibly useful against other parasites. It has irritant emetic properties and may cause lethal cardiac toxicity among other adverse effects. Pharmacological action: schistosomicides. Chemical name: Antimonate(2-), bis(mu-(2,3-dihydroxybutanedioato(4-)-O1,O2:O3,O4))di-, dipotassium, trihydrate, stereoisomer (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium atractylate | The potassium salt of atractylic acid, the natural source of the latter. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium bicarbonate | KHCO3;used as a diuretic to decrease the acidity of the urine, and as an electrolyte replenisher. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium bitartrate | KHC4H4O6;a diuretic and laxative. Synonym: cream of tartar, potassium acid tartrate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium bromide | KBr;an obsolescent sedative and hypnotic (sodium bromide is usually preferred). (05 Mar 2000) |
| potassium channel | Ion channel selective for potassium ions. There are diverse types with different functions, for example: delayed rectifier channels, M channels, A channels, inward rectifier channels, Ca dependent K channels. (18 Nov 1997) |
| potassium channels | Cell membrane glycoproteins selective for potassium ions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium chlorate | Chlorate of potash, KClO3, used as a mouthwash and gargle in stomatitis and follicular pharyngitis; it is incompatible in the dry state with all easily oxidizable substances. (05 Mar 2000) |