What are the functions of intercalated discs?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the role and significance of intercalated discs in cardiac muscle tissue. Intercalated discs are specialized structures that facilitate communication and mechanical connections between cardiac muscle cells, allowing for synchronized contraction of the heart.
Answer
Intercalated discs allow rapid electric transmission, nutrient exchange, synchronized contraction, cell adhesion, and cell-to-cell communication.
The functions of intercalated discs include allowing rapid electric transmission (action potential), nutrient exchange, holding adjacent cells together, synchronized contraction of cardiac tissue, and cell-to-cell communication.
Answer for screen readers
The functions of intercalated discs include allowing rapid electric transmission (action potential), nutrient exchange, holding adjacent cells together, synchronized contraction of cardiac tissue, and cell-to-cell communication.
More Information
Intercalated discs are critical for the heart's functionality because they ensure the heart muscles work in a coordinated manner, which is essential for effective blood pumping.
Tips
Common mistakes include confusing intercalated discs with other types of muscle cell junctions or underestimating their role in mechanical and electrical coupling.
Sources
- Intercalated discs - Gap junctions, desmosomes - Study.com - study.com
- Intercalated disc - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- Intercalated disc | anatomy - Britannica - britannica.com
