Chapter 8 Flashcards
Cardiac muscle cells are responsible for
the force of contraction in the ventricles and atria
All muscles cells have the ability to
Propagate an action potential across their surface.
Functional Syncytium
a tissue in which the cytoplasm of different cells can communicate via gap junctions found in intercalated disks
There are no chemical synapses in what kind of cell
cardiac muscle cells
Cardiac conduction system
System which transmits the action potential in the heart from the arterial syncytium to the ventricles
Membrane depolarization lasts longer in
cardiac muscle cells than in neurons, calcium channels stay open longer than the fast sodium channels
Neuronal or hormonal influences
can change the rate and strength of contraction|Do not stimulate the heart to contract
Initiation of each action potential that starts each cardiac cycle occurs in
region of the right atrium called the sinoatrial (SA) node|Under normal circumstance the SA node acts as a pace maker
SA node action potential phases
Phase : (automatic slow depolarization) sodium leak channels start the rhythmic, automatic excitation. Inward flux of sodium = cell potential thresh|Phase O: Voltage gated sodium channels open and cause the upstroke of the pacemaker potential. Ca+ causes depolarization in the SA node.|Phase : Repolarization. Ca+ channels close and K+ channels open, leading to an outward flow of K+ from the cell.
SA cannot spontaneously depolarize because
it has the most Na+ leak channels of all the conduction system. It reaches threshold before any other region of the heart and sets rate of contraction
What happens if the SA node cells are damaged or depolarization pathways are blocked
The AV node (purknjie fibers) will take over as the new pacemaker at a slower rate
Cardiac muscle cell action potential phases
Phase : (depolarization) threshold is reached and Na channels open with sodium rushing into the cell.|Phase : (initial repolarization) Na+ channels inactivate and K+ channels open. Phase : (plateau phase) influx of Ca+ ions balance the K+ efflux|Phase : (repolirization) Ca+ channels close and the K+ channels open, K+ leaves the cell again. Phase : (resting membrane potential) inward=outward
How are the SA and AV nodes connected
AP started by the heart beat in the SA node also spreads down a special conduction pathway that transmits action potentials rapidly w/o contraction|Its called the internodal tract
Why does the impulse travel to the AV node almost instantly but spreads through the atria more slowly?
contracting heat muscle cells pass the impulse more slowly than specialized conduction fibers
Av bundle (bundle of His)
divides into the right and left bundle branches and then into the Purkinje fibers, which allows the impulse to spread rapidly evenly over both ventricles
what role does the autonomic nervous system play with the heart
It regulates the rate of contraction. The intrinsic firing rate of the SA node is bpm reduced to- by the parasympathetic nervous system
The para sympathetic nervous system inhibits depolarization of the SA node using
the vagus nerve, which causes the release of ACh. This constant inhibition is known as the Vargas tone and it reduces the intrinsic firing rate
The parasympathetic system and the vagus are mostly in charge of the heart at rest. When is the sympathetic system used?
during fight or flight responses. The sympathetic postganglionic neurons directly innervate the heart, releasing norepinephrine.|Epinephrine is then secreted by the adrenal medulla and binds to receptors on cardiac muscle cells. The heart rate and force of contraction increases
Systemic arterial pressure
force per unit area exerted by blood upon the walls of arteries
Systolic pressure
the highest pressure that ever occurs in the circulatory system of this paticular person|this is obtained when ventricles contact
Diastolic pressure
as low as the pressure gets between heartbeats
Blood pressure indicates
arterial pressure
In what areas of the heart are the highest pressure in the circulatory system achieved
left ventricle, aorta and other large arteries
Why does diastolic pressure remain so high?
During diastole the arteries exert pressure on the blood and maintains diastolic pressure, providing a driving force for blood
Components of blood
Plasma (%)- liquid portion of the blood. Contains electrolytes, buffers, sugars, blood proteins, lipoproteins, CO, O and metabolic waste products|Formed elements- cellular portion of the blood
Principal sugar of blood
Glucose. Constant concentration is needed to ensure all cells receive proper nutrition.
Blood proteins
Albumin, immunoglobulins (antibodies), fibrinogen and lipoproteins
Albumin
essential for maintain effective of oncotic pressure (osmotic pressure in the caps due only to plasma proteins)
Immunoglobulins
key part of the immune system
Fibrinogen & lipoproteins
essential for blood clotting (hemostasis)|large particles consisting of fats, cholesterol and carrier proteins. Transport lipids in the bloodstream
CO2 & O2
involved in respiration.CO2 is also important in buffering blood
Main waste product
Urea, a break down of amino acids. Bilirubin, a breakdown product of heme.