Week 5, Lecture 2

Question 1

SERCA (Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase) does what

Answer 1

regulating calcium reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) after a contraction.

Question 2

decreased SERCA activity in cardiac myocytes would?

Answer 2

• impair calcium reuptake, leading to prolonged muscle relaxation (diastolic dysfunction)
• reduced calcium release for contraction, causing weaker heartbeats (negative inotropy).
• Over time, this could lead to heart failure due to decreased cardiac output and hypertrophy, as well as an increased risk of arrhythmias due to calcium imbalance.

Question 3

SLIDE 7