Electrophysiology of the Heart Vocabulary

Question 1

What are the 2 features of intercalated disks:

Answer 1

1. Mechanical junctions tightly join cardiocytes

2. Gap junctions allow ions to flow between cells; can stimulate neighbors

Question 2

broad band of proteins in which the actin of the thin myofilaments is anchored to the plasma membrane

Answer 2

Fascia adherens

Question 3

mechanical linkages that prevent contracting cardiocytes from being pulled apart from each other

Answer 3

Desmosomes

Question 4

Cardiac muscle depends almost exclusively on ________ _________ to make ATP.

Answer 4

aerobic respiration

Question 5

able to contract rhythmically and independently

Answer 5

Autorhythmic

Question 6

Autorhythmicity is governed by _______ ____ within the SA (sinoatrial) node

Answer 6

pacemaker cells

Question 7

_________ _____ are specialized cardiocytes that initiate electrical wave (of action potentials) to other cardiocytes

Answer 7

pacemaker cells

Question 8

Initiates wave of excitation and contraction of myocardium

Answer 8

SA Node

Question 9

Electrical gateway to the ventricles

Answer 9

AV Nodes

Question 10

Bundle forks into right and left bundle branches, these branches then pass through interventricular septum toward apex

Answer 10

bundle of his

Question 11

Nerve-like processes spread throughout ventricular myocardium

Answer 11

Purkinje fibers

Question 12

the stable charge/voltage of the plasma membrane of a cell in an unstimulated state

Answer 12

Resting membrane potential