Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Cardiomyocytes

Cardiomyocytes, or cardiac muscles, are a subclass of muscle cells, or myocytes, specifically those found in the walls of the heart.These cells are developed from myoblasts which originate in the mesoderm
. They have a striated appearance due to the regularly alternating proteins that form them, as well as a single dark dot per cell that is their single, centrally located nucleus. The main unique characteristic of cardiomyocytes compared to other cells is that they contract independently of any external stimulation, following their own internal rhythms. This allows them to perform their vital function without relying on the functions of other organs. These cells attach to each other with specialized cell junctions, called intercalated discs, to form long, branching fibers, creating a mechanical and electrochemical path to propagate and synchronize the rhythms that control their contraction between large groups of cells. This allows them to coordinate their actions and successfully pump blood throughout the body. (OpenStax, 2014)

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