Lecture 9: THE EXCITABLE HEART Flashcards
What are the types of cells in the heart?
Electrical/conduction and contractile
What % of cells in the heart are electrical/conduction?
1%
What % of cells in the heart are contractile?
99%
What are the types of electrical/conduction cells?
Purkinje cells and AV nodal cells
What is the appearance of electrical/conduction cells?
Pale striated
What is the actin and myosin content of electrical/conduction cells?
Low
What is the aim of electrical/conduction cells?
To transmit an electrical signal as quickly as possible from cell to cell
What % of cells in the heart are contractile?
99%
What are the names of contractile cells?
Myocardial cells
What is the appearance of contractile cells?
Striated
What is the actin and myosin content of contractile cells?
HIgh
What is the aim of contractile cells?
To contract the heart
Where does the action potential in the heart propagate?
Along the surface membrane of electrical and contractile cells
Where does depolarisation start?
At the sinoatrial node (SAN)
Where’d does the signal spread?
To neighbouring cells (contractile and conduction)
What does increased cytosolic calcium levels do in a contractile cell?
Cause cross bridge attachment and contraction
What do intercalated discs do?
Connect most cells of the heart
What do intercalated discs contain?
Gap junctions
What are gap junctions?
Pores with low resistance to ionic current (electrical ionic current passes through easily)
What do gap junctions allow?
Current to flow between adjacent cells
Where do gap junctions spread the impulse?
Along the conduction pathway