Question

Autorhythmic cells can generate action potentials spontaneously because they have Autorhythmic cells can generate action potentials spontaneously because they have channels for Na+ and K+ that are always open. L-type Ca2+ channels. a net influx of Na+. unstable membrane potentials. prolonged Ca2+ influx.

Answer 1

Answer:

They can generate potentials spontaneously because they have Unstable Membrane Potentials.

Explanation:

Autorythmic cells or Pacemaker cells are cells that provide Action potentials (electrical impulses) that starts off the cardiac cycle.

N:B This action potential is created spontaneously.

To explain further, the heart originate in specialized cardiac muscle cells, called autorhythmic cells, that can excite themselves and therefore are able to generate an action potential without external stimulation by nerve cells. And this sets the cardiac cycle i

(Pumping of the heart) into motion. (The pace maker potential)

The Autorhythmic cells create an action potential spontaneously

And this is possible because they have an UNSTABLE RESTING POTENTIAL that is continuously depolarizing, while it drifts slowly toward threshold. As Na+ ions enter the cell, the inner surface of the plasma membrane becomes less negative gradually, thus generating the pacemaker potential.

Answer 2

Answer:

Because of unstable membrane potentials

Explanation:

Autorhythmic cells are specialized cardiac muscle cells in the heart from which electrical impulses called action potentials originate. These cells can generate electrical impulses without any external simulations by the nerve cells. I.e. they are self – excitable.

Autorhythmic cells spontaneously create action potentials because they have an unstable resting or membrane potentials that continuously depolarizes, drifting slowly toward threshold. As sodium ions enter the cell, the inner surface of the plasma membrane gradually becomes less negative, generating the pacemaker potential.

Though their is an influx of sodium ions into the cell, the basic reason for the spontaneous generation of action potentials solely because of unstable membrane potentials. and not majorly due to the influx of sodium ion.