Unit 3 - CV A&P Flashcards
how are myocytes similar to neural & skeletal tissue
- generate RMP
- can propagate an AP
- contain contractile elements arranged in sarcomeres
- have T-tubules
RMP is established by what 3 mechanisms
- chemical force
- electrostatic counterforce
- Na/K-ATPase
3 things unique to cardiac muscle (vs. skeletal and neural)
- joined by intercalated discs
- gap junctions
- consume a lot of O2 at rest - 8-10 mL O2/100g/min (contain a lot more mitochondria)
what is the purpose of gap junctions in cardiac muscle
facilitate spread of cardiac AP through myocardium
why do myocytes consume a lot more O2 at rest vs. skeletal muscle cells
contain more mitochondria
what is equilibrium potential?
situation where there’s no net movement of an ion across a cell membrane
equation used to predict an ion’s equilibrium potential
Nernst equation
what is automaticity
ability to generate AP spontaneously
how do cardiac conduction cells display automaticity
when they set HR (normally SA node)
what is excitability
ability to respond to an electrical stimulus by depolarizing & firing AP
what is conductance
ability to transmit electrical current
what is inotropy
force of myocardial contraction during systole
what is chronotropy
heart rate
what is dromotropy
conduction velocity through the heart (velocity = distance/time)
lusitropy
rate of myocardial relaxation during diastole
what is RMP?
an electrical potential across a cell membrane at rest
what eletrolyte is continuously leaked by nerve cells at rest
K+ (loses positive charge)
what is the primary determinant of RMP?
K+
increased : RMP more negative
decreased: RMP more positive
what is threshold potential
voltage change that must occur to initiate depolarization
what is the primary determinant of threshold potential
calcium
how does calcium affect threshold potential
decreased serum Ca2+ = TP more negative
increased calcium = TP more positive
what is depolarization
movement of a cell’s membrane potential to a more positive value (less difference between inside and outside of cell)
what happens to HR as distance between threshold potential & RMP narrows
increases bc myocardial cells reach threshold faster
what is the all or none phenomenon
once depolarization starts, it cant be stopped