Concept explainers
Discuss some of the problems that would result. If the human heart were made of skeletal muscle instead of cardiac muscle.
To discuss:
The problems that would result if the human heart were made of skeletal muscle instead of cardiac muscle.
Introduction:
Heart is a muscular organ which helps in transportation of oxygen and nutrients through the blood into different parts of the body. It is also involved in removing carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste from the body.
Explanation of Solution
Skeletal muscle is striated, unbranched, voluntary muscle, which is under the control of the somatic nervous system. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart. It is also striated due to the presence of regular arrangement of sarcomeres. It is branched and involuntary muscle, which is under the control of the autonomous nervous system. Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart as it is a specialized type of muscle tissue. Its key role is to pump blood in different parts of the body. It helps in transportation of oxygen and nutrients through blood.
Skeletal muscle is voluntary in nature as one can cause their movement it according to their own wish, whereas cardiac muscle is involuntary (their movement is not under our control) and it is active all the time.
If the heart was made up of skeletal muscle, then after performing a constant workout, the mortality rate would have increased and this would have led to the condition of muscle fatigue and stopped heart from functioning. In cardiac muscle, muscle fatigue condition does not arise as it contains numerous mitochondria as compared to skeletal muscle. Presence of mitochondria results in the continuous supply of energy to the heart. Muscle fatigue leads to cause oxygen depletion in the body. Cardiac muscle provides non-stop supply of oxygen and nutrients into different parts of the body.
Skeletal muscle can easily get tired due to depletion of oxygen, whereas due to the presence of a large number of mitochondria in cardiac muscles, it is involved in the continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the body.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 41 Solutions
Biology
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Human Anatomy & Physiology (Marieb, Human Anatomy & Physiology) Standalone Book
Biological Science (6th Edition)
Microbiology: An Introduction
Anatomy & Physiology
Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach - Standalone book
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
- Action potentials are spread rapidly between cardiac muscle cells by a. sarcomeres. b. intercalated discs. c. chemical neurotransmitters. d. the fibrous skeleton.arrow_forwardEmphasize the propagation of electrical signals in nerves and monitoring the EKG signals from the heart.arrow_forwardExplain the structure of cardiac muscle and how it helps produce coordinated contraction in each heart chamber.arrow_forward
- Compare the structure and function of arteries and veins, and the significance of the skeletal muscle pumps.arrow_forwardDescribe the properties of the cardiac muscle, including automaticity, excitability, conductivity, and contractility.arrow_forwardfind a topic why people die for heart enlargement?arrow_forward
- Explain why an incompetent valve reduces the efficiencyof the heart contraction.arrow_forwardUsing the new cardiovascular drug Entresto, relate how the Cardiac action potential arriving at the surface of the sarcolema results in the mobilisation of intracellular calcium and subsequent cellular contraction. List the references used to get the answerarrow_forwardDiscuss why the heart is called a double pump and compare the pulmonary and systemic circuits.arrow_forward
- The human heart is: A) Neurogenic heart B) Myogenic heart C) Pulsating heart D) Ampullary heartarrow_forwarda. When part of the heart muscle dies, how does itheal?b. How would the new tissue affect the strengthof the heart contraction?arrow_forwardLabel the axons, dendrites, and soma of the nerve cell. Then, give a short description of this cell. Also, label all the visible parts of the cardiac muscle, describe the cell and identify its shape.arrow_forward
- Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems (MindTap ...BiologyISBN:9781285866932Author:Lauralee SherwoodPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...BiologyISBN:9781305073951Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningEssentials of Pharmacology for Health ProfessionsNursingISBN:9781305441620Author:WOODROWPublisher:Cengage
- Human Biology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305112100Author:Cecie Starr, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning