An univalent cation which is involved in maintaining ionic balance also plays a major role in one of the following processes.

Potassium is absorbed as potassium ion (K+). In plants, this is required in more abundant quantities in the meristematic tissues, buds, leaves and root tips. Potassium helps to maintain an anion-cation balance in cells and is involved in protein synthesis, opening and closing of stomata, activation of enzymes and in the maintenance of the turgidity of cells. It is activator of peptidyl transferase involved in peptide bond formation.