electrophysiology and contraction of muscles Flashcards
Main differences between Cardiac and Skeletal Muscles -
All cardiac cells function in conduction, some function to produce force (working Myocytes), Automaticity, smaller and shorter than skeletal mucle, GAP JUCNTIONS, contained within a connective tissue matrix that supports its function of a pump
Automaticity
spontaneously depolarizing and contracting
Importance of gap junctions in cardiac cells
permit the rapid conduction of electrical signal - potential generated anywhere in the atria can spread throughout the atria
The heart is made up of two electrical ____ connected by ______
the heart is made up of two electrical syncitium connected by unidirectional conduction through the AV node
Whatare the two electrical syncitia of the heart
Atrial syncitia and ventricular syncitia
Heart block
varying degrees of impairment though the AV bundle leading to varying degrees of functional dissociation of the atrial and ventricular syncitia
Ventricular Myocytes
Broad sheet of branching cells, stiated appearance, well developed t-tubule system located near the z line , 2x more mitochondria than skeletal muscle (high oxygen demand)
myocte triad
T-tuble and lateral sacs of sarcoplasmic reticulum
Ventricular intercalated discs
end to end connection, integrates electormechanical function between cells
desmosome
attachment site for cytoskeleton
Components of gap junctions
connexion proteins that form a low resistance conduction pathway
Relationship between gap junctions and conduction
more gap junctions = more rapid conduction
Atrial Myocites
NO branching, intercalated discs
Atrial intercalated discks
horizontally organized with occassional end to end connection (transmission of rappid impulse from end to end and side to side)
how many directions do atrial myocytes conduct in?
two- end to end and side to side due to the organization of their intercalated discs a
importance of the myocardial connective tissue matrix
interconnects myoctes and blood vessels, structural support of the heart, prevents damage by limiting stretching during diastole (due to overfilling), major pathway for force transmission across the heart, determines resting tension (ventricular diastolic pressure), “Holds” vessels open during contraction to limit the impact of surround pressure
importance of the long duration of cardiac action potential
assures complete activation of all cardiac cells (ensures synchronozed contraction with each impulse), assres a sustained contraction to empy the chambers of the heart, accounts for the long refractory period
importance of long refractory perior od cardiac action potential compared to skeletal action potential
Prevents tetany of the heart (assures relaxation and filling between beats)
timing of action potential and refractory period
duration of action potential = duration of refractory period - this is important to prevent tetany of the heart (makes sure it is relaxed before it can respond to a new stimuli)
Major role of sodium channels (Ina) in cardiac myocytes
rapid depolarization of atrial and ventricular muscles and purkinje fibers
Major role of calcium channels (Ica) in cardiac myocytes
Contributes to atrial and ventricular depolarization and contraction (L-type and T-type)
Major role fo potassium channels (Ik) in cardiac myocytes
repolarization pahse in all cardiac myocytes (determined by a series of K channels that open and close at various times)
What type of exhcanger is Na-Ca (INCX) exchanger
3:1 electrogenic exchanger (3 Na out, 1 Ca in)