CTB3: Mechanical and electrical properties of the heart Flashcards
What are the three types of cardiac muscle?
1) atrial
2) ventricle
3) specialised excitatory and conductive fibres
Cells that form cardiac muscle fibres are called _________.
cardiomyocytes
How are atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes connected?
In parallel with one another so that they can contract in a synchronised manner
What do excitatory and conductive cardiomyocytes do?
They show weak contraction but can generate and conduct electrical impulses that control heartbeat
What distinguishes cardiomyocytes from other cell types?
Segmentation
What dimensions are cardiomyocytes?
100um by 15um
What are cardiomyocytes joined together by?
intercalated discs containing gap junctions
What is the purpose of gap junctions?
Allows fast exchange of ions between cells, important in the synchronisation of contraction.
What is the Plasma membrane of cardiomyocytes together with its glycocalyx is called?
Sarcolemma
What is the fundamental contractile unit of muscle cells?
Sarcomeres
What do protein fibres consist of?
actin and myosin
What are T-tubules?
Finger-like invaginations from the cell surface that reach deep into the cell, to sarcoplasmic reticulum
What are T-tubules for?
Carry surface depolarisation deep into the cell. T tubules lie in close proximity to Z-lines separating different myofibrils.
How do cardiomyocytes contract in such a synchronised way?
Rhythmic contraction and relaxation of cardiomyocytes depends on a process called excitation—contraction coupling.
What does excitation contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes rely on?
Sarcolemma depolarization and subsequent Ca2+ entry to trigger additional Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
What is an action potential?
Change in membrane voltage as a result of movement of K+, Na+ and Ca2+ across the membrane
Name the phases of an action potential
Phase 0: Depolarisation
Phase 1 - 3: Repolarisation cell returns to its oiginal
Phase 4: repolarisation complete
Calcium-activated calcium release and can be seen as _________ restricted Ca2+ spark.
spatio-temporally