Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main function of intercalated discs in cardiac myocytes?
What is the main function of intercalated discs in cardiac myocytes?
- Storing calcium ions for muscle contraction
- Providing structural support to the heart muscle
- Secreting hormones for cardiac regulation
- Facilitating communication between cardiac myocytes (correct)
How do pacemaker cells in the heart differ from skeletal muscle cells?
How do pacemaker cells in the heart differ from skeletal muscle cells?
- Skeletal muscle cells have a higher resting membrane potential
- Pacemaker cells are larger in size compared to skeletal muscle cells
- Skeletal muscle cells possess more contractile proteins
- Pacemaker cells can generate rhythmic impulses without external neural input (correct)
Which characteristic differentiates cardiac myocytes from skeletal muscle cells?
Which characteristic differentiates cardiac myocytes from skeletal muscle cells?
- Presence of intercalated discs (correct)
- Lack of branched structure
- Lower mitochondria content
- Absence of striations
What is the primary responsibility of pacemaker cells in the heart?
What is the primary responsibility of pacemaker cells in the heart?
Why is the branched structure of cardiac myocytes important?
Why is the branched structure of cardiac myocytes important?
Which specialized structures are found at the junctions between cardiac muscle cells?
Which specialized structures are found at the junctions between cardiac muscle cells?
What is the role of sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes?
What is the role of sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes?
What serves as the primary intracellular calcium store in cardiac muscle cells?
What serves as the primary intracellular calcium store in cardiac muscle cells?
What triggers the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the cytoplasm?
What triggers the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the cytoplasm?
Which channels embedded in the cardiac cell membrane permit the entry of a small portion of extracellular calcium into the cell?
Which channels embedded in the cardiac cell membrane permit the entry of a small portion of extracellular calcium into the cell?
What percentage of the total calcium required for muscle contraction comes from the sarcoplasmic reticulum?
What percentage of the total calcium required for muscle contraction comes from the sarcoplasmic reticulum?
Which organelle provides a reservoir of calcium ions ready for release during muscle contraction?
Which organelle provides a reservoir of calcium ions ready for release during muscle contraction?
What initiates the process of muscle contraction by releasing calcium into the cytoplasm?
What initiates the process of muscle contraction by releasing calcium into the cytoplasm?
Where are slow calcium channels embedded to allow the entry of extracellular calcium into cardiac cells?
Where are slow calcium channels embedded to allow the entry of extracellular calcium into cardiac cells?
