Question

Plasma membranes of adjacent cardiac muscle cells interlock at specialized regions called intercalated disks. what is the significance of this feature of cardiac muscles?

Answer 1

Intercalated discs have a function in connecting individual heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) and making them work as a single functional organ or syncytium. As a result, the contraction of cardiac tissue is synchronized. Intercalated discs are transverse bands that separate the adjacent ends in cardiomyocytes and appear as stained irregular lines at 90 degrees to the striped sarcomeres.