physiology Flashcards
(108 cards)
where is the SA node found
in the right atrium close to where the SVC enters it
what rhythm is a heart controlled by the SA node said to be in
sinus rhythm
what type of potential to the cells in the SA node exhibit
spontaneous pacemaker potential
what does the pacemaker potential do
takes the membrane potential to a threshold to generate an action potential in the SA node

waht is the pacemaker potential due to
decrease in K efflux
funny current (Na and K influx)
transient Ca influx
describe the ion movement during the phases of the SA node cell AP
note Ca influx via L type Calcium channels during depolarisation

describe the spread of conduction through the heart
SA node initiates an impulse that is conducted to atrial muscle fibres causing them to contract. impulse spread to AVN by myogenic (cell to cell) conduction
bundle of His
left and right branches in muscular interventricular septum
branches ramify into subendocardial branches (Purkinje fibres) which extend into the walls of the respective ventricles

how does excitation spread through cells in the heart
gap junctions- these are protein channels which form low resistance electrical communication pathways between neighbouring myocytes
- across the atria via cell to cell conduction
- there are some internodal pathways between SAN and AVN
- within ventricles
describe the structure of a gap junction

the desmosomes provide mechanial adhesion

what is the only point of electrical contact between the atria and ventricles
AV node
where is the AV node located
base of the RA
why is conduction delayed in the AV node
to allow atrial systole to precede ventricular systole
describe the phases of venticular muscle AP
what is the resting mp?

where does the CNX supply in the heart
vagal stimulation
SA and AV node
vagal stimulation slows heart rate and increases AV nodal delay - negative chronotropic effect
on an ECG this causes decreased slope of pacemaker potential
vagal tone
CNX exerts a continuous influence on the SAN under resting conditions - this dominates and slows the intrinsic HR from 100bpm to around 70bpm in resting conditions
neurotransmitter for parasympathetic supply to the heart
neurotransmitter is ACh through M2 receptors
atropine
inhibitor of ACh - used in severe bradycardia
cardiac sympathetic nerves
- where do they supply
- effect
- neurotransmitter
as they supply the SAN, AVN and myocardium, they have a positive inotropc effect (force) and chronotropic effect (rate)
slope of pacemaker potential increases
neurotransmitter is noradrenaline through ß1 receptors
what is the sarcolemma
the cell membrane of a striated muscle fibre cell


outline actin and myosin crossbridge action
ATP is broken down into ADP and Pi on myosin – myosin extends and can attach to binding sites on actin to form cross bridges.
Power stroke – myosin pulls the actin towards the M-line shortening the sarcomere.
ADP and Pi are released during power stroke.
Myosin remains attached to actin until ATP binds again – contract again or relax.

rigor complex
ATP is needed for contraction and relaxation
a rigor complex is formed when the myosin head is bent and bound to actin
- this explains rigor mortis after death
- muscle cramps may be due to development of rigor complex due to lack of ATP or inability to remove calcium
describe the action of tropomyosin and troponin
when muscle is relaxed tropomyosin blocks the cross bridge binding sites on actin
when Ca levels are high enough, Ca ions bind to troponin which displaces tropomyosin exposing myosin binding sites on actin
muscle contraction
Ca++ ions stored in sarcoplasmic reticulum and are released in response to signals from the nervous system to contract.
Neurotransmitter molecules released from neurone and bind to receptors which depolarises the muscle fibre membrane, electrical impulse travels down T tubules and opens Ca stores in sarcoplasmic reticulum.
These travel to myofibrils – muscle contraction

















