Why does hypokalemia (low potassium) in nervous tissue impair signal transmission?

💡 Explanation

Hypokalemia reduces the extracellular potassium concentration, thereby decreasing the potassium gradient. This impairs the outward flow of potassium during repolarization, slowing the process because potassium efflux is critical for returning the membrane to its resting potential, rather than other ion fluxes dominating. Therefore, repolarization is impaired.

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