1. Cardiac pacemaker cells are extremely important for normal regulation of heart rhythm. These autorhythmic cells undergo spontaneous action potentials caused by pacemaker potentials. How do these cells spontaneously depolarize (i.e., what happens?). How do they generate an action potential? Diagram and explain their action potentials and label each portion of the wave and what causes each deflection. Describe how an action potential is generated in contractile cells and how it is coupled with contraction. Draw what the action potential looks like, label the deflections of the wave and indicate what is causing each deflection.
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Instead, they exhibit a slow, spontaneous depolarization called the pacemaker potential. This is primarily due to the activity of "funny" channels ($I_f$ channels), which are permeable to both Na+ and K+ ions. These channels open when the membrane potential Show more…
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Adi S.
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Please compare and contrast action potentials in cardiac autorhythmic cells and cardiac contractile cells, including drawings to illustrate your discussion. Would increased sympathetic nervous system activity affect either of these cells? If so, please describe how, including the cellular mechanism that produces the effect. What effect(s) would this have on overall cardiac function?
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