Concept explainers
Match each numbered item with the most closely related lettered item.
cardiac muscle cells.............................
To review:
Match the term cardiac muscle cells with the most closely related descriptions given below:
Vein to the left atrium
Covers outer surface of the heart
Supplies blood to heart muscle
Lines inner surface of fibrous pericardium
Slow heart rate
Functional syncytium
Muscular wall of the heart
Relaxation phase of the cardiac cycle
Vein to the right atrium
Contraction phase of the cardiac cycle
Introduction:
The heart’s wall is known as myocardium, which is made up of cardiac muscle cells. The cardiac muscle cells are made up of myofibrils, which consists of long chains of sarcomeres. These cells show striates similar to those shown in the skeletal muscle cells.
Explanation of Solution
A true syncytium possesses multiple nuclei, like the cells of the skeletal tissues. On the other hand, the cardiac muscles do not consist of multinucleated cells. Instead, they show functional syncytium as they are separated by the gap junctions and here when one cell gets contracted the contraction triggers the contraction of other cells and likewise the contraction carries by the whole myocardium. This property of the cardiac cells allows rapid contraction of the heart muscles without getting fatigued.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the cardiac muscle cells can be correctly matched with option (f) functional syncytium.
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Chapter 21 Solutions
HUMAN ANATOMY PACKAGE
- What are three anatomic or physiologic differences between skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle?arrow_forwardBy what mechanism does the autonomic nervous system impact the contractions of cardiac muscle?arrow_forwardWhat anatomical feature prevents the electrical signal from traveling directly from atrial muscle to ventricular muscle?arrow_forward
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage Learning