BIOL 2P97 Final: Cardiac Physiology-EXAM.docx
21 Apr 2015
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Document Summary
O pressure generated in the heart propels the blood through the system. Cardiovascular system: series of tubes filled with blood, connected to a pump. Blood flow in and out of chambers flow of blood can only go one way in the heart: valves between the chambers of the heart, there are 4 valves. Taking a closer look at cardiac muscle: most myocardial cells are contractile, signal to contract originates from the heart itself myogenic . Features of myocardial muscles: individual cardiac muscle cells branch and join together, separated by intercalated discs. Desmosomes: strong connection between cells, transmits force created in one cell to adjacent cells. Gap junctions: electrically connect one cell to another, allows action potentials to spread between cells. Features of cardiac muscle contraction: contains a sarcoplasmic reticulum this region stores calcium necessary for, many mitochondria reflective of the high energy demand of cardiac muscle.
