Explain how cardiac tetanus is prevented

What will be an ideal response?


Tetanus cannot occur normally in cardiac muscle because the absolute refractory period is significantly long. It lasts during the entire plateau phase of the action potential and occurs because the voltage-gated sodium channels responsible for the rising phase of the action potential remain closed throughout the plateau phase. This is physiologically important because the normal function of the heart relies on alternating contraction and relaxation. If tetanus were to occur, the heart chambers could not fill and empty in a synchronized fashion and cardiac function would stop.

Anatomy & Physiology

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secretion of waste materials reabsorption of over 90 percent of water from the tubule reabsorption of useful organic substrates All of the listed responses are correct.

Anatomy & Physiology

Nerves that pass through the sympathetic chain without synapsing innervate which structure?

A. Heart B. Stomach C. Sweat glands D. Lungs E. Piloerector muscles

Anatomy & Physiology

Which of the following changes occur during the third trimester?

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Anatomy & Physiology

The female reproductive organ that houses and matures the egg is called the _________.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Anatomy & Physiology