A C TIO N P O TEN TIA L O F

H EA R T
Ayu Indraswary
3415 122 171
Pendidikan Biologi Reguler 2012

ElectricalActivity ofH eart

Atria contract as single unit followed

after brief delay by a synchronized

ventricular contraction
Action potentials of cardiac contractile
cells exhibit prolonged positive phase
(plateau) accompanied by prolonged
period of contraction
Ensures adequate ejection time
Plateau primarily due to activation of slow

L-type Ca2+ channels

Chapter 9 Cardiac Physiology
Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood 2007 Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning

ElectricalActivity ofH eart

Ca2+ entry through L-type channels in

T tubules triggers larger release of

Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum
Ca2+ induced Ca2+ release leads to cross-

bridge cycling and contraction

Chapter 9 Cardiac Physiology

Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood 2007 Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning

ExcitationContraction
Coupling in Cardiac
Contractile Cells

Chapter 9 Cardiac Physiology

Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood 2007 Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning

ElectricalActivity ofH eart

Because long refractory period

occurs in conjunction with prolonged

plateau phase, summation and
tetanus of cardiac muscle is
impossible
Ensures alternate periods of contraction

and relaxation which are essential for

pumping blood

Chapter 9 Cardiac Physiology

Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood 2007 Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning

Relationship of an
Action Potential and the
Refractory Period to the
Duration of the
Contractile Response in
Cardiac Muscle

Chapter 9 Cardiac Physiology

Human Physiology by Lauralee Sherwood 2007 Brooks/Cole-Thomson
Learning