Occurrence and evolutionary origin of the low potassium polymorphism in mammalian red blood cells

Abstract

Potassium present in cells and blood can be measured using flame photometry and scientists found that potassium level can either be low (LK) or high (HK). Some scientist proposed that this could be due to the climate, the habitat, the saline water, parasites or direct effect of domestication. The theory of evolution suggests that all animals have a common ancestor and they diverged millions of years ago (MYA). So information regarding the potassium level, the region, the animal species, their scientific names and percentage of LK or HK type of animals was collected using Microsoft Excel sheet. Data was analysed using statistical package R studio and by using online software such as OneZoom tree of life, Mesquite and timetree in order to build a diagram showing evolutionary relationship. The results showed that certain animal species can be grouped in HK (46-145 meq/L) or LK (4-45 meq/L) type and even among the LK type there was diversity in the level of potassium. The result from the evolution tree showed that the change from HK to LK happened several times and the first time was between 77.2 MYA and 54.0 MYA in the ancestors of dog, cat and bear and between 27.3 and 12.3 MYA, the change happened in cattle, goat and sheep. This mutation happened in very few human but people who has low red cell potassium has poor health. It is still unclear why this change happened and more research will have to be done in all animals. Abstract Previous studies have shown blood potassium polymorphism among cert