1 Flashcards
What is physiology?
The science of the functions of living organisms and their parts
What are the 4 essential components for maintaining a steady state?
- Receptors; can sense when vital parameters change
- Control centre; compares input against set point
- Output; signal from control centre to effector
- Effector; enables change to return to steady state
What is redundancy?
When more than one homeostatic feedback loop is in place so if one system fails, steady state is resumed
What is a mediator?
- Chemical, peptide or protein that conveys information from one cell to another.
- When in response to a stimulus, a mediator is released and produces a particular biological response.
List the criteria which establish a substance as a mediator
- Released from cells in sufficient amounts to produce biological action within appropriate time frame.
- Application of authentic sample of mediator produces original biological effect.
- If we interfere with synthesis release or action then we should be able to stop biological response.
Describe the synthesis of small molecule mediators
- Synthesis is regulated by specific enzymes.
- Peptide synthesis is regulated by transcription, after transcription, translation. It will go to the Golgi body and either be sent out of cell through constitutive or regulated secretory pathway. Product is released when stimulated.
- Mediators produces by cell depends on enzymes and genes.
- Cells can produce more than one type of mediator.
What are the two types of chemical mediators?
- Mediators which are pre-formed and stored in vesicles from which they’re released by exocytosis allowing rapid communication.
- Mediators produced on demand which takes longer.
How are neurotransmitters stored?
In ‘packages’ which release a quantal amount of neurotransmitter.
What is a drug?
A chemical substance of known structure, other than a nutrient or essential dietary ingredient, which when administered to a living organism produces a biological effect.
Describe the steps in chemical transmission that are targeted by drugs
- Drugs can interfere with transporters
- Drugs can target ion channels involved in neurotransmission
- Drugs can target receptors in neurotransmission
What are the 4 classes of proteins commonly targeted by drugs?
- Enzymes
- Transporters
- Ion channels
- Receptors
What are receptors?
Proteins that bind chemical mediators e.g. hormones, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators.
What is the function of receptors?
The regulation of cellular processes:
- Chemical recognition and binding
- Intracellular signal generation
What are the 4 classes of receptor targeted by therapeutic drugs?
- Ligand gated ion channels
- G protein couples receptors
- Kinase linked receptors
- Nuclear receptors
What are the definitions of; agonist, antagonist, ligand?
Agonist- Drug or chemical that binds to receptor producing a response in the cell.
Antagonist- Drugs that prevent or inhibit the response of an agonist. Put onto cells in isolation they have no effect.
-Ligand- Any molecule that binds to receptor. Can be an agonist or antagonist.
What are the varying speeds of signal transduction?
- Milliseconds; ligand gated ion channels as proteins just need to shift to open channels and ions diffuse down the gradient.
- Seconds; G-protein coupled receptors. Agonist bound receptor activates G-proteins which control the function of other proteins.
- Hours; Kinase linked receptors and nuclear receptors which both regulate gene transcription and therefore protein synthesis.
Describe the structure and action of ligand gated ion channels
- Composed of 3-4 subunits.
- Each subunit has 2-4 transmembrane spanning domains.
- Complex arrangement forms central aqueous pore.
- Agonist binding leads to the opening of the channel.
- Channel closes due to drop in concentration of agonist or because receptor enters desensitised state.
What does the activation of ionotropic receptors by excitatory neurotransmitters lead to?
- Membrane depolarisation
2. Action potential firing
What does the activation of ionotropic receptors in inhibitory neurotransmitters lead to?
- Inhibits membrane depolarisation
- Reduces action potential firing
What are the protein subunits and the structures?
- Cys-loop type; 4 transmembrane domains, cystine loops. Pentameric assembly.
- Ionotropic glutamate type; 3 transmembrane domains, p-loop facing ion channel. Tetameric assembly.
- P2X type; ATP gated channels. 2 transmembrane domains. Trimeric assembly.
- Calcium release type; 6 domains, tetrameric assembly.
Describe the structure of G-protein coupled receptors
- Formed from a single protein
- Receptor protein spans membrane 7 times
- G-protein made from 3 proteins coming together (heterotrimeric)
Describe the signal transduction mechanism in G protein coupled receptors
Neurotransmitter binds to receptor, stabilises it in particular structure which is highly attractive to heterotrimeric G-proteins that will lead to activation.
- G-protein in turn controls activity of downstream effector molecules e.g ion channels/ enzymes involves in production of 2nd messengers.
- Same G-protein can be used for many different receptors.
Describe the process of switching ON heterotrimeric G-proteins
- Inactive G protein- Alpha subunit can be separate from beta gamma subunit.
- Alpha subunit contains binding site for nucleotide.
- GDP associated with alpha subunit then has high. affinity for beta gamma subunit forming a complex.
- When agonist molecule binds it leads to a structural rearrangement and attraction to the alpha subunit.
- Change in alpha subunit structure lowers GDP affinity and GTP affinity increases.
- G protein is active.
What is PKA? How is it regulated by cAMP?
- Protein kinase A
- PKA regulated by phosphorylation of target proteins which in turn regulated their functions
What happens when phospholipase C is activated by GPCR’s?
- Generation of 2nd messengers IP3 and DAG
- Increased intracellular Ca2+
- Activation of protein kinase C
- Recognises and breaks down certain phospholipids in plasma membrane
Describe the neuronal organisation of the ANS
- Preganglionic neurons are always short and cholinergic
- Postganglionic neurons have nicotinic receptors for ACh and are long and adrenergic
- Target tissues express alpha and beta adrenergic receptors for norepinephrine.
Describe the effects of sympathetic stimulation
- Eyes dilate
- Heart rate and contractility increase
- Blood vessels dilate towards skeletal muscles and constrict towards the digestive system
- Increased expansion of lungs. Dilation of smooth muscles in trachea and bronchioles
- Increased breakdown and release of glucose in liver
Describe the effects of parasympathetic stimulation
- Eyes constrict
- Heart rate decreases
- Blood flow to GI tract increases. Release of bile and enzymes increases.
- Bladder wall contracts
What parts of the body are innervated by sympathetic nervous system only?
- Sweat glands
- Hair follicles
- Blood vessel smooth muscle
- Adrenal medulla
Where are chromatin cells located? How do they work?
- Adrenal medulla
- Functions similar to postganglionic neurons but release mainly epinephrine
- Traget alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
- Allows diffuse sympathetic activity
Describe neuronal organisation of parasympathetic NS
- Long cholinergic preganglionic neurons from brainstem and sacral spinal cord
- Short cholinergic postganglionic neurons
- Target tissue expresses muscarinic ACh receptors
What are the essential components of the ANS in the CNS?
Spinal cord- mediates autonomic reflexes, recieves sensory afferents and brain stem outputs.
Brainstem nuclei- mediate autonomic reflexes
Hypothalamus- integration and coordination of behavioural processes
Forebrain and visceral inputs control cortical function
Another name for adrenaline
Epinephrine
What blocks muscarinic ACh receptors?
Atropine
How do M1, M3 and M5 receptors work?
- Gq protein coupled receptors
- Increase in phospholipase C
- Increase in IP3 and intracellular Ca2+
How do M2 and M4 receptors work?
- Gi protein coupled receptors
- Decrease in adenylyl cyclase so decrease in cAMP
- Increase in GIRK
- Decrease in voltage gated Ca2+ channels
Where in the body are M1 receptors found?
- Autonomic ganglia
- Gastric oxyntic glands
- Lacrimal and salivary glands
- Cerebral cortex
Where are M2 receptors found in the body?
- Atria of the heart
- Widely distributed in the CNS
Where are M3 receptors found in the body?
Exocrine glands Smooth muscle GI tract Eyes Airways Bladder Endothelium of blood vessels
Where are M4 receptors found?
CNS
Where are M5 receptors found?
Substantia nigra
Salivary glands
Iris and ciliary muscles
What does M2 activation cause?
Cardiac slowing
Decreased force of contraction in atria
Inhibition of atrioventricular conduction
What is the effect of muscarine poisoning?
Decrease in blood pressure. Production of nitrous oxide leads to vasodilation.
- Increased saliva, tear flow, sweating and abdominal pain.
- Can lead to cardiac failure as heart rate slows.
What can pilocarpine be used to treat?
Eye drops used to treat glaucoma by reducing pressure in eye.
What is atropine and what are its effects?
- Atropine is a non selective muscarinic antagonist
- Leads to inhibition of secretion from glands, relaxation of smooth muscle and relaxation of urinary tract
What are examples of muscarinic antagonists and what do they treat?
- Pirenzepine is used to treat peptic ulcers at level of M1 receptors regulating acid secretion into gut.
- Darifenacin is M3 selective and used in cases of overactive bladder.
What are cholinomimetic drugs? How do they do this?
Drugs that act indirectly to enhance cholinergic transmission.
-They inhibit cholinesterase and mimic the effects of activation of cholinergic signalling pathways.
Where are noradrenergic receptors found?
Tissues responding to postganglionic sympathetic neurons.
What are some clinical uses of adrenoreceptor agonists?
Adrenaline- Cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis
B2 selective- ephedrine used for nasal decongestants, salbutamol used for bronchial dilation.
What are amphetamines?
- Indirectly acting sympathomimetic drugs
- Structurally related to noradrenaline, don’t act directly on receptors but increase release of endogenous noradrenaline
What are the clinical uses of adrenoreceptor antagonists?
Prazosin for hypertension (Alpha 1 selective)
Carvedilol for heart failure (alpha and beta)
Propanol for anxiety (beta 1 and 2)
What does the endocrine system regulate?
- Growth and development
- Reproduction
- Blood pressure
- Concentrations of ions in the blood
- Behaviour e.g. hunger and mood
What are the basic principles of the endocrine system?
- Chemicals known as hormones are secreted from endocrine tissues or glands into extracellular fluid
- Transported by blood to distant target tissues
- Receptors can be found on cell surface, in cytosol or in nucleus
What are the 7 classic endocrine glands?
- Pituitary (anterior and posterior)
- Thyroid
- Parathyroids
- Adrenals (cortex and medulla)
- Ovaries
- Testes
- Endocrine pancreas
What are other endocrine tissues which are not the 7 classic endocrine glands?
- Hypothalamus
- Kidneys
- GI tract
- Heart
- Liver
- Adipose tissue
What is the function of the thyroid gland?
It is essential for development, growth and metabolism
Describe the process of secretion from the thyroid gland
- Numerous follicles in the thyroid gland which are surrounded by follicular cells with colloid in centre.
- Iodine is required to create a pre-hormone which is secreted by follicular cells into colloid where it’s stored extracellularly until thyroid hormones are needed.
- When needed, pre hormone is taken back up into follicular cells and converted into thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
- T3 and T4 exit cells by facilitated diffusion and enter interstitial fluid and into bloodstream and target cells.
- Enter cells via facilitated transport and bind to nuclear receptors, meaning they can regulate transcription of proteins.
What is the function of the parathyroid gland and how does it do this?
- Aims to increase plasma calcium levels which act as feedback loop in chief cells. Prevents parathyroid hormone granules being released. Also regulates phosphate levels.
- Chief cells release parathyroid hormone via exocytosis into interstitial fluid.
- Peptide hormone released from secretory granules.
- Moves around in blood and moved to targets:
- Intestines where it increases calcium absorption.
- Kidneys where it increases tubule calcium reabsorption.
- Increases amount of bone calcium reabsorption.
What are the 3 things released by the adrenal cortex?
- Mineralocorticoids e.g. aldosterone. Capable of regulating amount of sodium in the bloodstream.
- Glucocorticoids e.g. cortisol. Capable of regulating glucose. Cortisol is released and can increase the amount of blood plasma glucose. Released in stressful situations when more energy is needed.
- Androgens.
What is released from the adrenal medulla?
- Chromaffin cells which release adrenaline and noradrenaline.
- Blood enters artery and works its way down through blood vessels towards vein.
- Cortisol is released from cells, travelling in blood vessels to reach adrenal medulla. This can stimulate chromaffin cells to release adrenaline.
What is the endocrine function of the ovaries?
- Developing follicles which produce oestrogen and progesterone.
- Oestrogen stimulates cellular proliferation of the lining of the uterus.
- Progesterone stimulates secretions and maturation of the tissues.
What is the endocrine function of the testes?
- Leydig cells produce testosterone which stimulates protein synthesis.
- Plasma testosterone increases at puberty and reaches a peak at adulthood. Levels then decrease with old age.
What are the 2 types of cell in the islets of Langerhans and what do they release?
Alpha cells- produce glucagon. Initiate release of glucose.
Beta cells- release insulin which controls blood glucose levels from getting too high leading to glucose storage.
What is the adenohypophysis? Describe its action
- Anterior lobe of pituitary which develops from upward projection of pharynx.
- Receives hormones from hypothalamus.
- Small diameter neurons with shirt axons which release hormones which travel down through portal veins, distributing to troph cells.
- Troph cells are stimulated to release further hormones which enter bloodstream.
What is the neurohypophysis? Describe its action
- Posterior lobe of pituitary
- Develops from downward projection of brain
- Large diameter neurons in hypothalamus send axons down into posterior pituitary
- Release hormones directly into bloodstream
What are the major pituitary hormones and what are their roles?
ADH- regulates water balance
Oxytocin- involved in lactation. Hormone involved in forming bonds with people
Tropic hormones- hormones which cause the release of more hormones:
Thyroid stimulating- stimulates thyroid gland to release thyroid hormones.
-FSH and LH released by anterior pituitary acting on testes and ovaries.
From what does epithelia develop from?
All 3 germ layers:
- Endoderm; GI lining
- Mesoderm; Lining of CV system
- Ectoderm; Epidermis
What are the functions of epithelial tissue?
- Protection, for example in the skin
- Diffusion, for example in the lungs
- Secretion, for example in the glands
- Absorption, for example in small intestines
What is the basement membrane? Describe its structure
- A vital component of all epithelia, all epithelial cells are connected together on basal surface to basement membrane which adds mechanical support and provides nutrients for growth (cells rely on basement membrane for nutrients as they are avascular)
- The basement membrane consists of 2 parts:
1. Basal lamina which provides support and is secreted by epithelial cells.
2. Reticular lamina which anchors cells to extracellular matrix and is secreted by fibroblasts
Why is cell replacement in epithelia important?
- Some of the external environments can be hostile meaning cells will often die.
- Tissue homeostasis is maintained through continual replacement of cells through homeostasis.
Describe the structure and function of simple squamous epithelium
Appearance of thin scales
Facilitates rapid passage of molecules
Nuclei are flat and horizontal, mirroring the shape of the cells
Present where rapid passage of molecules is required, for example in the lungs
Describe the structure and function of simple cuboidal epithelium
Nucleus is in the centre of the box like presentation
Involved in secretion and absorption of molecules which require active transport
Present in lining of kidney tubules and ducts of glands
Describe the structure and function of simple columnar epithelium
Tall elongated cuboidal cells with the nucleus at the bottom of the cell
Involved in active transport during absorption or secretion of molecules
Can be ciliated and con-ciliated
Present in GI tract and Fallopian tubes
Describe the structure and function of pseudo stratified columnar epithelium
Irregular arrangement of cells and nuclei
All cells are in touch with the basement membrane, some cells don’t reach the apical surface
Found in the respiratory system
Describe the structure and function of stratified squamous epithelium
Most common type of epithelia in human body
Cells on apical surface are squamous, could be dead and contain large amounts of keratin
Basal cells are more cuboidal
Found in areas of high abrasion e.g. skin and oesophagus
Describe the structure and function of stratified cuboidal epithelia
Found in glands and ducts
Acts as protection
Cuboidal cells arranged in layers
Describe the structure of stratified columnar epithelia
Rare and found in conjunctiva, pharynx, embryos
Allows tissue to stretch and contract
Contains goblet cells which secrete liquid in order to lubricate e.g. in eyelids
Describe the structure and function of transitional epithelia
Relaxed and distended presentations allow contraction e.g. in bladder
When relaxed, cells have round shape and when distended, change shape without being damaged
Describe the structure and function of glandular epithelium
Gland made up of one or more cell types that are modified to secrete a chemical
Can be exocrine- ducts open to external environment
Exocrine- ductless and secrete into surrounding tissues
What is the integumentary system?
The skin (integument) and its accessory organs; hair, nails, cutaneous glands
What is the dermis? Describe its structure
Connective tissue beneath the epidermis
Mainly collagen with elastic and reticular fibres
2 zones with unclear boundaries:
1. Papillary layer; thin region of loose connective tissue allowing mobility of leukocytes, mast and macrophage cells
2. Reticular layer, thick layer of dense irregular connective tissue. Often has adipocyte clusters
-Accessory organs such as hair, nails and oil and sweat glands are from dermis
-Rich layer of blood and lymphatic vessels
Why is the dermal-epidermal boundary so strong?
Due to wavy boundary of finger like projections which interlock to create large surface area and strong boundary
Dermal papillae come up from dermis and epidermal ridges come down from epidermis
What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?
Stratum basale Stratum spinosum Stratum granulosum Stratum lucidium Stratum corneum
What is the role of stem cells in the epidermis?
They give rise to keratinocytes. Cells in contact with the basement membrane maintain the ability to replicate.
What is the role of keratinocytes in the epidermis?
Keratinocytes- Have the ability to synthesise keratin.
What is the role of langerhans cells in the epidermis?
Dendritic cells, macrophages that originate in bone marrow and migrate to epidermis guarding against pathogens and toxins.
What is the role of Merkel cells in the epidermis?
Tactile cells which are touch receptors associated with nerve fibres.
Describe the structure of the stratum basale and the cells within it
Consists of undifferentiated mitotically active keratinocytes attached to the epidermal basement membrane, they generate cells for other layers.
Cells migrate upwards.
Single layer of cuboidal cells and keratinocytes resting on basement membrane. Melanocytes are scattered among other cells.
Tactile and Merkel cells connect to nerves to give a sense of touch.
What are the role of melanocytes and what are the pigments within them?
Synthesise the pigment of melanin. Melanin is UV absorbent and protects the skin from UV damage. Provides pigmentation through: -Pheomelanin (red soluble pigment) -Eumelanin (brown insoluble pigment)
Describe the structure of the stratum spinosum
Several layers of keratinocytes.
Thickest layer in thin skin.
Deepest cells are mitotic and as they’re pushed up they cease to divide.
Produce keratin filaments, causing cells to flatten.
Keratinocytes are strongly linked by desmosomes.
Tight junctions between cells ensure water retention of skin.
Describe the structure of the stratum granulosum
3-5 layers of flat keratinocytes.
Post mitotic cells.
Contain dark staining keratohyalin granules which bind to cytoskeleton and are converted to keratin.
Cells undergo apoptosis.
Produce glycolipid filled vesicles which spread over cell surface forming waterproof barrier between stratum spinosum.
Describe the structure of the stratum lucidum
Only exists in thick skin. Thin translucent zone. Densely packed keratinocytes but with no nuclei or organelles. Protects against damage. Indistinct cell boundaries.
Describe the structure of the stratum corneum
Outermost later in contact with the environment.
15-30 layers thick.
Terminally differentiated dead keratinocytes which continually flake off.
Compromised of several layers of flattened corneocytes.
Stratum disjunction is lost to the environment.
Describe the structure of nails as an accessory structure
Derivatives of stratum corneum.
Composed of dead scaly cells and densely packed with hard keratin fibres.
Their appearance cam indicate health issues e.g. iron deficiency- flat or concave.
Describe the structure and different types of hair as an accessory structure
Slender filament of keratinised (dead) cells from follicles.
Found almost everywhere with different densities.
Lanugo- fine hair in foetuses.
Vellus- fine unpigmented hair.
Terminal hair- longer coarse pigmented hair e.g eyebrows.
What are the 5 types of glands in skin and what do they secrete?
Merocrine sweat glands- Provide watery perspiration to skin.
Apocrine sweat glands- Ducts lead to follicles. ‘Scent glands’ respond to stress and sexual stimulation.
Sebaceous glands- Oily sebum lubricated skin and hair.
Ceruminous glands- E.g. earwax
Mammary glands- In females for milk.
What is the barrier function of skin and how is it achieved?
- Prevents water loss, physical injury and infection by microbes.
- Skin is host to a large and complex microflora or over 1000 species, many are harmless but some are opportunistic pathogens.
- Physical barrier, cross-linked keratin layer upon scaffold of keratinocytes. Only fails in areas of cuts and burns.
- Biochemical barrier; slightly acidic and bactericidal agents such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids which inhibit growth of bacteria.
Describe the process of temperature regulation
- Thermoreceptors in the epidermis.
- Countercurrent heat exchange between arterial and venous blood flow in extremities.
- Hypothalamus regulates via ANS.
- Sweat so heat leaves body via evaporation when warm.
- Piloerection by piloreceptor muscles to make hairs stand up and trap heat when cold.
What are skeletal muscles responsible for?
- Voluntary movement of bones that underpin locomotion.
- Control of inspiration by contraction of diaphragm.
- Skeletal muscle pump helps with venous return to heart.
What creates the striated appearance of skeletal muscles (what makes up the H, I and A band)?
H band- just myosin fibres
I band- just actin fibres
A band- myosin and actin overlap in this area.
Describe the process of initiating skeletal muscle contraction
- Requires nervous stimulation
- Motor neuron’s axon forms neuromuscular junction on muscle fibre
- Action potential comes down axon, reaching neuromuscular junction, stimulating release of ACh into synaptic cleft
- ACh binds to nicotinic ACh receptirs, initiates action potential in membrane of muscle fibre, passing down muscle fibre leading to contraction
- Wave of depolarisation passes along sarcolemma through T tubule
- Depolarisation triggers increase in intracellular Ca2+
Describe the process of muscle contraction
ATP dependant
Actin and myosin are bound together and no ATP currently involved
ATP binds to myosin head, causing it to dissociate from actin
ATP hydrolysed to ADP and phosphate, causing conformational change. Myosin head extends out
Myosin head then able to interact with actin molecules further down chain. Once bound to actin, phosphate is released
Strong interaction between actin and myosin head
Conformational change in myosin head into upright position, pulling actin filament
ADP released and process repeats
What is fused tetanus?
Action potential causes muscle to contract and relax (twitch). If frequency of stimulation is faster than time taken for muscle to relax, there can be constant tension in muscle (fused tetanus)
What does tetrodotoxin do?
Inhibits sodium channels so no depolarisation in membrane and no action potential
What does dendrotoxin do?
Inhibits potassium channel so membrane stays depolarised meaning continued release of ACh
What does omegacnotoxin do?
Inhibits calcium channels so vesicles can’t fuse and muscles cannot contact as no ACh is released
What does botulinum toxin do?
Inhibits transmission at neuromuscular junctions. Leads to muscle weakness, paralysis and death. For vesicle to be able to fuse with membrane, there must be SNARE proteins, toxin cleaves these proteins so there is no vesicle fusion and no ACh is released.
What is aerobic exercise?
Typically long sustained, low level exercise.
Stimulation of slow fibres.
Conversion of IIx into IIa.
Increased fatigue resistance. No change in muscle strength.
What is anaerobic exercise?
Typically brief, intense exercise.
Stimulation of fast fibres.
No change in number of muscle fibres.
Enlargement of myofibril size by addition of myofillaments. Causes increased diameter of muscle fibre.
How does energy delivery during exercise change?
Immediate energy supply- meets the immediate demand for ATP, relies on ATP and phosphocreatine supplies in muscle, stores are quickly depleated.
Anaerobic metabolism- glycolysis under anaerobic conditions to supply ATP. Efficiency is quickly reduced.
Oxidative energy- via oxidative phosphorylation.
Describe non-oxidative energy release
- Substrates enter glycolysis at 2 points.
- Glycogenesis of glycogen produces glucose-1-phosphate.
- Glucose-1-phosphate converted to glucose-6-phosphate which enters glycolysis at reaction 2.
- Uptake of glucose from blood Bly GLUT4.
- Glucose enters glycolysis pathway.
- Pyruvate produced which is converted to lactic acid.
- Process is inefficient compared to oxidative phosphorylation.
- H+ from lactic acid lowers cell pH and leads to muscle fatigue.
- But produces ATP in the absence of oxygen.
Describe the aerobic (oxidative) energy release
- As tissue oxygen delivery increases, energy production via oxidative phosphorylation is stimulated.
- Process is slower but is more efficient.
- Glucose is sourced from blood, following breakdown of glycogen.
What are the different types of muscle fatigue?
Central fatigue- Minor factor in trained exercise (brain sending messages you are tired).
Peripheral fatigue- At the level of the muscle fibre:
High frequency fatigue- alteration in cell Na/K balance. Particularly in type II.
Low frequency fatigue- reduced release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum, more apparent at low frequency stimulation. Type I fibre.
ATP depletion- intense stimulation can cause large drops in ATP near sites of cross-bridge formation.
Lactic acid buildup- high rates of lactate production leads to cellular acidification.
Glycogen depletion.
What is cardiac muscle, describe its structure
- Muscle specific to the heart
- Cardio myocytes are striated like skeletal muscles
- Myocytes are shorter and more branched. join together at intercalated disk.
- Electrical coupling between adjacent myocytes at intercalated disk by gap junctions.
- Action potential initiated by pacemaker cells of sinoatrial node and propagates between cells via gap junctions.