Chapter 2

Electrophysiology
 Chapter 2

Electrolytes
 Electrolytes are how a cell develops “electricity.”
 ECG is altered by electrolyte abnormality.
 Imbalances can cause life-threatening problems.
 Chapter 2

Mechanics of Contraction (1 of 3)
Visualize that:
 The heart is made up of a
series of small barrels.
 Each barrel is made up of
two halves.
 The halves slide over
each other.
 Halves are held together
by interlocking pieces
(myosin and actin
proteins).
 Chapter 2

Mechanics of Contraction (2 of 3)
 The outsides of the
barrels are fused
together to form long
bands (myofibrils).
 Bands are held together
side by side by wire
(connective tissue) to
form sheets.
 Sheets are covered with
fluid (extracellular
fluid).
 Chapter 2

Mechanics of Contraction (3 of 3)
Main function of bands: To contract and expand
 When one barrel contracts, whole sheet shortens by
small amount.
 When all barrels contract, whole sheet shortens
significantly.
Sheet returns to original size as all barrels relax.
Sheets are arranged to form the four sacs that create the heart:
• Two small, thin on top (atria)
• Two large, thick on bottom (ventricles)
 Chapter 2

Ion Movement and Polarity

Inside the body:
• Main positively charged ions:
+ Sodium (Na+)
+ Potassium (K+)
+ Calcium (Ca++)
• Main negatively charged ion:
- Chloride (Cl-)
 Chapter 2

Electrical Potential
 Inside of cell has a  K+ concentration.
 Outside of cell has a  Na+ concentration and
more Ca++.
– Adds to the greater positive charge outside cell

Electrical potential = The difference between the charges

outside and inside of the cell wall
 Chapter 2

Sodium-Potassium ATPase Pumps

 Use ATP to actively move ions:
– Pushes out three Na+ ions
– Brings in two K+ ions
 Result:
 Greater positive charges
outside the barrel than
inside

Because of ATPase pumps,

electrical potential of resting
myocyte is approx –70
to –90 mV.
 Chapter 2

Action Potential
 With time, the number of ions
entering cell offsets effects of the
pump and inside of cell becomes
less negative.
 This pattern of slowly increasing
the cell’s electrical potential is
called Phase 4 of the action
potential.
 Chapter 2

Threshold Potential/Phase 0
 Cell becomes so positive a new set of channels opens:
 The Fast Sodium Channels
 This is the threshold potential.

 Influx of sodium makes cell more positive so cycle

continues
 Rapid increase of Na+ ions makes the cell fire:
Phase 0

 Cell is now depolarized.

 Chapter 2

Phase 1
Phase 1—Cell is at peak positive charge.
Influx of Na+ ions slows.
Slowdown shuts one-way valve on rapid
sodium channels.
Slow sodium channels and calcium channels
both now open.
Plateau phase begins—Phase 2.
 Chapter 2

Phase 2
 Influx of Ca++ and slow influx of Na+ help keep cell in
depolarized state.

 Calcium acts like a key, activating clamp made of

troponin and tropomyosin.

This clamp brings together actin and myosin, causing cell

to contract

The more calcium, the faster the clamping action, and the
longer the contraction is maintained.
 Chapter 2

Action of Calcium on the Actin-Myosin

Complex
 Chapter 2

Phase 3
 Some potassium channels open, allowing potassium to
escape. This is a rapid repolarization phase.

 When cell reaches resting potential, the whole process

begins again

 IMPORTANT—in Phase 4, different myocytes reach

threshold potential at different rates. In order:
– First: SA nodal cells
– Second: Atrial cells
– Third: AV nodal cells
– Fourth: Bundle cells
– Fifth: Purkinje cells
– Last: Ventricular myocytes