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Multiple Choice
Cardiac contractile tissue uses sodium, calcium, and potassium channels for depolarization and repolarization. During which phase of the action potential is the calcium channel open?
A
Depolarization phase.
B
Plateau phase.
C
Repolarization phase.
D
Resting phase.
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1
Understand the phases of the cardiac action potential: The cardiac action potential consists of several phases, including depolarization, plateau, repolarization, and resting phases.
Identify the role of calcium channels: Calcium channels play a crucial role in the plateau phase of the cardiac action potential by allowing calcium ions to enter the cell, which helps maintain the depolarized state.
Depolarization phase: This phase is primarily driven by the rapid influx of sodium ions through sodium channels, leading to a rapid rise in membrane potential.
Plateau phase: During this phase, calcium channels open, allowing calcium ions to enter the cell, which balances the outward flow of potassium ions and maintains the membrane potential at a plateau.
Repolarization and resting phases: In the repolarization phase, potassium channels open, allowing potassium ions to exit the cell, restoring the resting membrane potential. The resting phase is characterized by the maintenance of the resting membrane potential, primarily through the activity of potassium channels.