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Name: Amy
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Question:
How does the SA node of the heart produce charges and how do the charges develop? Also what ions are important in this process?


Replies:
The cardiac cells of the SA node are said to be autorhythmic, or capable of depolarization. They "fire" faster than the other cells in the area and so set the pace of the depolarizations of other cells in the area. Depolarization depends on differing concentrations of Na and K ions on opposite sides of the membranes of the neurons.

Van Hoeck

his site will address your question:

http://www.bme.jhu.edu/~rwinslow/imgmv.html

Steve Sample


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