Question

The plateau phase of an action potential in cardiac muscle cells is due to the ________.

Answer 1

The plateau phase of an action potential in cardiac muscle cells is due to the influx of Ca2+ ions through the slow Ca2+ channels.

Different electrical pattern is involved in all the contractile cells. In cardiac muscle cells, there is a rapid depolarization which is followed by a plateau phase and then the repolarization occurs. This allows the cardiac muscle cells to pump blood effectively because of the long refractory period.

During the plateau phase, the action potential of the membrane drops slowly . This happens due to the opening of the slow calcium ion channels which allow the Ca2+ ions to enter the cell. Few K+ channels are also open which allow some K+ ions to exit the cell.

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