Cardiac Muscle

• ​COmpare the contraction mechanisms of cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle

• Branched, striated cells interconnected in 3D networks

• Each cell has MANY actin and myosin filaments​

Cardiac Cell Structure

• Less developed sarcoplasmic reticulum

• AKA less calcium

• Most calcium comes from extracellular fluid​

Cardiac Cell Structure

• Cardiac has a longer twitch

• The opposing ends are connected by intercalated discs

• These junctions allow impulses to pass freely from cell to cell​

• One stimulation moves through the whole network​

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Cardiac Muscle