Answer Key
Answer 1-Long refractory period is a unique property of the cardiac muscle that provides
safety to the heart as it prevents tetanization of heart muscle.
Calcium Chloride increases the force of contraction and decreases relaxation [Link]
the heart stops in systole.(tonic contraction)This is called calcium [Link] may not affect the
heart rate.
Answer 2 -When the extracellular Na+ concentration is increased the amplitude of Action
Potential may increase.
When the the extracellular Na+ concentration is decreased the amplitude of action potential
becomes smaller than usual because the concentration gradient for Na+ that drives sodium into cell
is reduced.
When the extracellular K+ concentration is increased the membrane potential come closer to the
firing level and the membrane becomes more excitable
When the extracellular K+ concentration is decreased the membrane potential becomes more
negative as the resting K+efflux is increased favoured by the increased concentration gradient across
the membrane.
- When the extracellular Ca2+ concentration is increased the RMP goes away from the firing level
due to increased potential difference,decreasing the tissue excitability
When the extracellular Ca2+ concentration is decreased the electrical potential difference across
the membrane is [Link] RMP come close to firing level which increases excitability of the
tissue.
Answer 3-Some smooth muscles are self [Link] extrinsic stimulus is required for
generation of Action [Link] with slow wave rhythm of membrane potential Eg Smooth
muscles of gut cause unknown.
Hypothesis-pumping of Na+ ions inside and outside of muscle cell rhythmically initiate Action
Potential.
Importance of slow waves-When they arestrong enough they initiate action potential.
When peak of slow waves rises in positive direction from -60 to -35 mv,Action potential develops
and spreads over whole muscle [Link] contraction occurs.
Repetetive Sequences of Action Potential elicits Rhythmic contraction of smooth muscle mass so
slow waves are also known as pacemaker cells.
Answer 4- Action Potential with Plateau onset same as spike potential but repolarization is
delayed as 100 ms to 1000 ms
Answer 5-The inherent leakiness of sinus nodal fibres to sodium and calcium ions causes
their self [Link] resting membrane potential is about -55 to -60 [Link] cause of
lesser negativity in the SA nodal fibres due to influx of positive charges through leaky or
Answer Key
funny [Link] the inward leak of sodium ions is brought about by hyperpolarization
rather than depolarization ,these channels are called funny channels.
Answer 6- Norepinephrine result in increase in intracellular cAMP levels which opens L
type calcium channels ,increasing influx of calcium and rapidity of depolarization phase of
the impulse.(increase in slope of Prepotential)
Acetylcholine increases the K+ conductance of nodal tissue leading to potassium efflux
which decreases the slope of prepotential and decrease in firing rate due to decrease in
cAMP levelwhich slows the opening of calcium channels.