Final answer:
Potassium deficiency, or hypokalemia, occurs due to decreased potassium intake, vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis, leading to a slow heart rate, muscle weakness, irritability, and may cause sterility, anemia, or cardiac arrhythmias in severe cases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Potassium deficiency, also known as hypokalemia, can occur under various conditions. Individuals may experience potassium loss due to decreased intake associated with starvation, or from vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis. Symptoms of hypokalemia include slow heart rate, muscle weakness, irritability, and in severe cases, sterility.
A significant reduction in blood potassium levels can lead to decreased synthesis of erythropoietin, potentially resulting in anemia and accompanying fatigue, fluid volume overload, and in extreme cases, life-threatening conditions such as pulmonary edema or cardiac arrhythmias.